Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of some key Arsenal players ahead of his side’s clash with Bournemouth this weekend.
Bukayo Saka came off during the second half of England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece last week with a muscular problem.
The 23-year-old then missed the Three Lions’ subsequent fixture with Finland after coming back to north London for further tests on the issue and is a doubt going into Saturday’s clash at the Vitality Stadium.
“It’s not a serious injury,” Arteta said on Friday morning (football.london).
“He’s evolving really well. He’s done a few things in the last few days when he came back from the national team after the second game. We are hopeful. We have a training session this afternoon and he did some bits yesterday, so let’s see if he can make it on time.”
Gabriel Martinelli is also a doubt after missing Brazil’s second match against Peru with a calf problem. Arteta has suggested that he faces a late fitness test.
“Gabi landed yesterday afternoon,” he said. “So we’ve had a very short time to be with him. Yesterday he went outside to do a little bit and see how he’s feeling. Today will be another step to understand whether we want to take the risk if he’s fit. I know what the player is going to say ‘I’m going to be fit’
“Yeah, he had a few issues and we’ve been dealing with that. He’s been absolutely brilliant. He has very good communication with the national team and the manager. They understood the situation. We have modified everything that we could do here and if he trains well today he has a good chance to be fit and available”
Kai Havertz is also a doubt for the game after missing out on the international break with a knee problem. Arteta though seemed more positive about his chances of making the trip to the south coast.
“Yeah, he had a few issues and we’ve been dealing with that,” he said. “He’s been absolutely brilliant. He has very good communication with the national team and the manager. They understood the situation. We have modified everything that we could do here and if he trains well today he has a good chance to be fit and available.”
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