Mikel Arteta has issued an update on the fitness of our first team squad ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham on Sunday.
The boss was asked about potential returns to the squad for midfield duo Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz, who have both missed our last two games.
“Well, we have to wait until tomorrow,” Mikel said at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Friday, “but there is a big possibility that they are available for the game.”
There was more positive news on Leandro Trossard, as Mikel said the winger will be fit for Sunday’s derby despite going off injured towards the end of our 2-2 draw with Wolves.
Like Leo, Bukayo Saka was forced off in the second half at Molineux. But our no.7 will be in line to make his first appearance since signing a new contract when we make the short trip to Spurs.
“Bukayo’s news, obviously, is great, he’s one of our own,” the boss said on Bukayo’s new deal, “we are very happy that the players are feeling in such a strong way about the club.
“We’ve got him here since he was very, very little. For him to make that decision and the club to be so aligned with him, I think that’s a really positive thing.”
With Bukayo and Kai potentially available at the same time, Mikel was asked about the prospect of fielding both players in the number 10 position.
While open to the idea, the boss urged caution in easing players back into the fold after spells on the sidelines.
“We can; it depends as well on the availability of the players in terms of the load we can absorb.
“Bukayo was okay to start the game (against Wolves) but we knew that he could not finish the game so we had to get him out.
“He was going to start to cramp or take a risk with the previous injury and we didn’t want to do that. So, depending on the state of the players, how much we can use them.”