Mikel Arteta has issued a series of updates on the fitness of several first-team players ahead of our London derby against Brentford on Wednesday, December 3.
WIlliam Saliba missed Sunday’s draw with Chelsea having picked up a knock in training, and the boss said it will be touch and go whether the centre back returns on Wednesday night.
“He had a little niggle, so I think it’s going to be a matter of days, so let’s see if he’s able to be there tomorrow,” Mikel said at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Tuesday.
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“The ankle one [earlier in the season] was really random, and a very unlucky action that kept him out for a few weeks. He tried at Anfield, he wasn’t comfortable and he had to stay away.
“This one as well, very bizarre, but hopefully it will be a matter of days.”
Leandro Trossard was another player absent from the weekend who will hope to return to the squad this week, and the boss said that like Wilo, Leo will return in a “matter of days.”
There will however be a longer wait for the return of Kai Havertz.
“Matter of weeks,” Mikel revealed. “Let’s see how it evolves in the next few weeks. He’s doing really well, he’s doing stuff on the pitch, but I think he needs some time.”
Another of our longer term absentees is Gabriel, but the boss is optimistic that the Brazilian is progressing well with his recovery.
“Big Gabi is doing very well as well, but that’s weeks as well.”
Given the injuries we’ve sustained in recent weeks, Mikel was asked about resting and rotating the likes of Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber who started three games in the space of eight days.
But the boss reiterated his desire to put the strongest team on the pitch in every scenario, whatever that may look like.
“We try to manage every case, every individual in relation to how they feel in the context of the matches, adjust with the only purpose to have the best options on the best pitch and to be better than the opponent, that’s it.
“But I think every game that we play, when you look at the intensity in the Premier League against any opponent, what is needed is incredible.
“Brentford bring different threats, different challenges, and you need to dominate that if you want to win the game.”
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