Arteta gives update on Saka, Odegaard & White ahead of Man City clash

Arsenal entertain Manchester City in the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Ahead of the contest, manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on the first-team squad.

The Gunners were without five players for the Champions League curtain-raiser at Athletic Bilbao.

Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz are long-term absentees, but manager Mikel Arteta has not ruled out the possibility of Bukayo Saka, Ben White or Martin Odegaard making the game.

The Spanish tactician highlighted that the trio will be assessed during tomorrow’s training session before a final decision on their involvement against the Cityzens on Sunday evening.

He told reporters: “If there is a chance, it will be after tomorrow’s session as they haven’t done anything yet.”

Arteta added that Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino are fine. The duo received cuts to their head against Athletic on Tuesday, but they are poised to feature against Pep Guardiola’s side.

William Saliba was back in the matchday squad for the midweek game at San Mames. The manager said that the Frenchman is ‘pushing’ to be involved in the much-awaited encounter.

Arsenal secured a thrilling 5-1 win over the Cityzens at the Emirates Stadium last season, but it was against a team who were low on confidence during the back end of the campaign.

The Mancunian outfit are in better form this time around, and the Gunners need a strong and commanding start at the Emirates Stadium to unsettle City’s new-look backline.

Arteta has some big decisions to make ahead of the game. Saliba will most likely be reinstated alongside Gabriel in central defence despite Cristhian Mosquera’s superb start to his Arsenal career.

Gabriel Martinelli could reclaim a starting role on the left wing after his man-of-the-match display against Athletic with two goal contributions. Eberechi Eze could operate as a playmaker.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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