Arsenal will welcome back Riccardo Califiori and Ethan Nuaneri for their Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb, but William Saliba and Bukayo Saka remain out.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed the duo will feature in Wednesday’s game at the Emirates after both missed the Gunners’ last three games in all competitions against Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa, with 17-year-old Nwaneri also injured for the defeat. them with 2-0. at Newcastle in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
“Very positive news. We missed them for a few weeks and they are back today for training. They will be available for the game,” Arteta told the returning pair.
The Spaniard also shared some positive news regarding the fitness of key centre-back Saliba, who was ruled out of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Villa, but said tomorrow’s clash will come too soon.
Arteta added: “He is developing very well. In the last few days he already felt a lot better, but this game comes a little too soon for him.”
England striker Saka is also strengthening his return from a hamstring injury sustained against Crystal Palace on 21 December.
“That’s not going to change. I think he is in the process and he had the time. That phase is gone now.
“He’s doing really well. He’s feeling better day by day, but we have to respect the healing process and then he has other stages to go through in rehab.”
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— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 20, 2025
Knockout qualification on the cards
The draw at Villa, which saw them hold a two-goal lead, saw Arsenal lose further ground in the title race. The north Londoners are now six points clear of Liverpool having played a game more than the leaders.
But there were no such issues for Arteta’s men in Europe, with a third-place win on Wednesday all but securing their place in the last 16.
“So far we have done very well. We’re in a strong position and now it’s time to capitalize at home,” Arteta said of tomorrow’s clash and their campaign so far.
“The work we have done for many months, we need a strong performance against a very good team and we will try to do that.”
Automatic qualification to the last 16 with a top-eight finish brings with it the added benefit of not taking part in a two-legged knockout game, which could easily prove to lighten the workload as they continue to compete in the league and Carabao Cup.
“Let’s do what we have to do first, which is always difficult because we’re talking about the Champions League,” added Arteta. “If we can do that obviously we will have the best ideas on the table to make the right decision.
“Yes, it was very helpful (a break last season) with the schedule we have for the last three months, you can take a break and reset a little bit, work on things and rest some people, but some people are back. That would be great.”
Arsenal transfer news
Arteta was asked about Arsenal’s January transfer activity as the window enters its final 10 days, with the north Londoners in the market to add a striker.
“I understand it’s happening. I have a lot of people texting me “you after him” and that. I don’t even know what they’re talking about.
“I don’t watch it much. I have enough work to do with a lot of things so I don’t get too distracted by it.”
