Arsenal face a tense wait over the fitness of captain Martin Odegaard and star winger Bukayo Saka ahead of their Premier League showdown with Manchester City this weekend, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday.
Saka, sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury last month, and Odegaard, who has been managing a shoulder problem, will undergo final fitness assessments in the coming days before a squad decision is made. Arsenal, currently second in the table behind Liverpool, cannot afford any slip-ups against eighth-placed City in what promises to be a marquee clash.
Arteta Provides Update
“If there is a chance they play on Sunday, it will be after tomorrow’s session,” Arteta said. “They haven’t done anything yet, so we’ll have more information then. Everything has been modified for them so far. There are still a few things to clear before we know if they can be part of the squad.”
Centre-back William Saliba, who left the pitch early in Arsenal’s 1-0 loss at Liverpool, returned to the bench during their midweek Champions League win at Athletic Bilbao and will also face a late fitness check. Meanwhile, Arteta confirmed that Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino are fully fit following minor head injuries sustained in the European clash.
Arsenal’s Strength in Depth
After previous seasons of squad limitations, Arsenal have strengthened their roster significantly during the summer transfer window. Arteta highlighted the impact of substitutes in the 2-0 win at Bilbao, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard scoring after coming off the bench.
“You need that quality to unlock games and maintain consistency every three days,” Arteta noted. “We are fortunate to have players who can make a decisive impact.”
City Challenge Looms Large
Arsenal have historically struggled against Pep Guardiola’s City side, losing eight consecutive matches across all competitions, but have gone unbeaten in their last four league encounters, including a 5-1 victory in February. Arteta remains confident heading into the fixture:
“The preparation for the game will be to win, that’s for sure. Competing against one of the best teams in the world is a good test for us to see our level.”
Arteta also praised Guardiola’s enduring excellence:
“What he’s achieved in this league is unprecedented. Maintaining those levels for 10 years is incredible. The demands are there, and he wants to continue because he believes he can do it again.”
