Ahead of our Carabao Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion, Mikel Arteta has issued updates on the fitness of several first-team players.
Declan Rice, William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori were all withdrawn during the weekend’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, while Gabriel Martinelli required treatment after the full-time whistle.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s tie, the boss said that we will be without Saliba for our clash with the Seagulls. “He’s out,” the boss said at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Tuesday, “we are assessing him, but he won’t be involved in this match.”
As well as missing the central defender, we’ll be without attacker Martinelli for the midweek clash. “It looks like he’s going to be out as well. We have to do some more tests and see the extent of the injury, but this game is going to be too early for him.”
There was more positive news on Rice and Calafiori after they were taken off against the Eagles, with the boss expecting both players to be available. “Rice will be available, and (Calafiori) as well, yes.”
Bukayo Saka was also a minor doubt for Brighton’s visit after battling illness last week, but Mikel said that “he is going to be fine,” joining Calafiori and England teammate Rice in being available for the tie.
As well as those who were involved at the weekend, the boss also spoke on Ben White’s fitness after the defender suffered a setback in his recovery. “He had a setback and that hasn’t helped.
“It was an injury that kept him out for a few weeks and we had to manage his load. The reason why he’s not been playing is to manage that; he’s in a good place now, he’s been training more recently and his feeling has been very good.
“When Ben is at the level that he can show, he’s a top player for us, a player that drives the team in a different way, gives us a different threat on that flank as well, and we need him at his best.”
Read more Every word from Arteta’s pre-Brighton presser
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