Evening Standard
·24 gennaio 2025
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·24 gennaio 2025
Two could return for the trip to Molineux
Saliba has missed Arsenal’s last two games due to a hamstring injury, while Lewis-Skelly was absent for Wednesday’s win over Dinamo Zagreb because of a knee issue.
Mikel Arteta, however, confirmed on Friday morning that neither injury is serious and they could even make the squad for this weekend’s game at Molineux.
“With Myles, there is nothing serious on the scan,” said Arteta. “So, it will be a matter of today have a meeting with the medical staff. We have a training session. Whether it is too early or not [we don’t know].
“And with Willy, it is something similar as well. I think they will definitely be in for next week. This week, let’s see how it goes.”
Jakub Kiwior deputised against Dinamo Zagreb
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arteta faces a selection dilemma if Saliba is out of action as to who he plays at centre-back alongside Gabriel.
Jurrien Timber was deployed there against Aston Villa last weekend, but on Wednesday for the win over Dinamo, it was Jakub Kiwior who got the nod.
Arteta is light on options in attack, but both Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard will be pushing to start after doing well off the bench against Dinamo.
Ben White, who has been out of action since November after undergoing knee surgery, is progressing well in his recovery but is not quite fit enough to return this weekend.
“He hasn’t trained with the team yet, but I think he is very close to doing that,” said Arteta. “He needs to still tick a few boxes in the next two or three days. If that is all going well and smoothly, I think he will be with us pretty soon.”
Arsenal predicted XI: Raya; Partey, Timber, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Merino; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard
Doubts: Lewis-Skelly (knee), Saliba (hamstring)
Injured: Jesus (knee), Saka (hamstring), Tomiyasu (knee), White (knee)
Arsenal squad from: Neto, Raya, Setford; Calafiori, Gabriel, Kacurri, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly, Saliba, Tierney, Timber, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Merino, Nwaneri, Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Havertz, Martinelli, Sterling and Trossard
Time and date: 3pm GMT on Saturday, January 25, 2025.
Venue: Molineux Stadium
Referee: Michael Oliver