A joyful Mikel Arteta announced he had “very positive news” regarding Arsenal’s myriad injuries ahead of the club’s Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners have struggled with injuries this season, not only losing players for long periods of time, but also arguably the most important players in the squad. William Saliba was the latest to enter the treatment room at London Colney after suffering a muscle problem that sidelined him in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.
Initial reports suggested that the normally robust Frenchman would be out for around two weeks with a hamstring strain. Arteta did not reveal a detailed timetable but did reveal that Saliba is “developing really well”.
“He’s been feeling a lot better in the last few days, but this game comes a little too early for him,” the coach added.
Riccardo Calafiori suffered from health problems during his debut season in the capital but will be back for the midweek European game.
As Arteta was only too happy to reveal, teenage sensation Ethan Nwaneri will be joining his Italian team-mate. “Very positive news,” beamed the Spanish coach. “We missed them for a few weeks and they returned to training today. They will be available for the game.”
Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s most missed player. The reliable winger suffered a torn hamstring before Christmas that briefly looked like it would jeopardize the rest of his season.
Arteta reluctantly announced that the striker will be out for several months. While a March return is still the expected recovery timeframe, Arteta added: “He’s doing really well. He is getting better every day, but we have to respect the healing process and then he has to go through further phases of rehab.”