Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie and Martin Odegaard are all injury doubts for Arsenal ahead of their Premier League game against Bournemouth
Mikel Arteta gave the latest in his pre-match press conference
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Eberechi Eze is available for Arsenal’s Premier League game against Bournemouth on Saturday, but refused to give the latest on several other stars.
Eze returned to training on Thursday following a calf injury and is now ready to return to the squad. It had been speculated that the midfielder could be out for six weeks, but Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference that he was fit again.
“He is available,” he said. “My first conversation with him after felt that niggle he wanted to be available the next week. That was not possible. The recovery, the way he has shown to get back, the way he has pushed.”
Arteta also praised the mentality Eze has showed during his time on the sidelines. The 27-year-old has been missing since the 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on March 17 and has pushed himself hard to get back fit.
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“One of them I didn’t know that he was determined, so obsessed and willing to push his body, in a really powerful way,” Arteta said. “When you take away the opportunity to play, you see the reaction. The energy that he brings inside the team.”
Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie and Martin Odegaard were all absent from Thursday’s training session, sparking doubt around their availability to face Bournemouth in Saturday’s 12.30pm kick-off in north London.
Arteta decided to keep his cards close to his chest when asked about injuries. “Yeah there have been changes there since yesterday,” he said cryptically.
Pressed further, he only offered: “I don’t know. Some of them.” And asked if Hincapie was fit, he said: “There will be changes tomorrow.”
Odegaard was substituted in the 1-0 win over Sporting on Tuesday night – a match that was missed entirely by Timber, Saka and Hincapie.
Arsenal are also without midfielder Mikel Merino, who suffered a bone stress fracture in his foot in January which required surgery. “Well he’s another one who is going to push every boundary,” Arteta said when asked about the Spain international, who is desperate to feature for his country in this summer’s World Cup.
“He’s doing a lot of exercises already. He reacted well to the surgery and he has no pain. I am sure there is a chance to make that period shorter.”
Arsenal go into the weekend nine points ahead of second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand. After facing Bournemouth, the Gunners will play the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting on Wednesday and then face City next Sunday.
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