Arteta hints that key Arenal players could face Brentford this weekend
Mikel Arteta has shared the latest injury news on Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka as Arsenal prepare to welcome Brentford to the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.
The Gunners are riding high after a memorable 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League, one of the best nights ever at the Emirates.
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There were worries late for Arteta in that game when Saka and Rice limped off. However, Arteta has now eased concerns with a reassuring update.
Arteta gives updates on Saka and Rice's injuries
'With Dec and Bukayo, they're both fit,' Arteta said. 'It was just a matter of two kicks, and they recovered well, so they are available tomorrow.
'Ricky's (Calafiori) is progressing really well. I think to give you a timeline is difficult because he needs to step up, especially having more people around and how then he reacts after that, but he's in a good place.'
Arteta also spoke about Kai Havertz, who has been out of the squad since February with a hamstring injury.
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Havertz recently shared a video of his recovery, raising hopes of a possible return.
Arteta confirmed there might be enough time left for Havertz to play again this season, although nothing is certain.
'So, we have some extra days then,' Arteta added. 'Let's see. Every injury isn't the same. Hopefully we can have him, but let's wait, I think.
'Once you get to the last stage of that rehab is when you can understand better how close or far away you are to making that next step.'
When asked if he would consider resting some key players with the second leg of the European tie coming up, Arteta said he would assess the squad's condition.
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'We'll look now at how the players have recovered because it's not only about this game – it's about the schedule that we have in the next few weeks as well,' Arteta said.
'Whoever plays will be very competitive.'
Arsenal will be eager to keep up the momentum and secure another vital win at home. After that, Arteta will hope Saka and Rice continue their heroics in the second leg of the Madrid clash.
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New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
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Advertisement The last of those, in particular, ought to have been saved. Wilson Isidor's shot was unthreatening enough but Hermansen's attempts to push it around his post were fluffed, allowing the ball to bounce tamely into the corner. The opener, a looping header back across goal, was another that a more agile keeper might have stopped. Hermansen — and West Ham — has to be better. Phil Buckingham It was not exactly a surprise, given that Wolves had announced the appointment of additional backroom staff at the beginning of pre-season. But in the opening game of the season against Manchester City the change in dynamic was clear. Whereas during Vitor Pereira's successful fight against relegation in the second half of last season, only he and assistant head coach Luis Miguel were seen regularly in the technical area, on Saturday there were appearances from new faces Bruno Moura and Filipe Almeida, who joined at the start of the summer. 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New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya: Confident, composed and increasingly commanding
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The way he uses the momentum that's already on the ball to send it further with a solid contact — and not do any crazy arm swing — is perfectly executed.' In that moment, Raya made his height disadvantage irrelevant. De Ligt is 6ft 4in, but Raya seemed as calm as anyone inside Old Trafford when he redirected the ball away from goal. There were even doubts that Raya would reach 6ft when he initially went on trial with Blackburn Rovers as a 16-year-old in 2012. Thankfully for Arteta and Arsenal, those doubts were overlooked, and Raya has improved with age. 'What makes Raya so good in the air is his timing and positioning,' Pyzdrowski says. 'Despite only being 6ft tall, he's able to meet the ball at his highest point. 'That's why I say size really doesn't matter. It can help you and give you advantages, but if you don't have good timing, technique or positioning, it doesn't matter how tall you are. Raya is proof of that. That's why I always dismiss people when they say 'the goalkeeper's too small' — it's bulls**t.' Advertisement And Raya was in flow well before punching that free kick away from the danger area. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha worked multiple openings for United in the first half, and while some of their efforts were tame, the pick of Raya's saves came when he got his left hand low to deny Cunha an equaliser. 'I don't know how I saved it, to be honest; it was very close to my feet,' Raya told Sky Sports minutes after the full-time whistle. 'Him saving that with his hand is ridiculous,' Pyzdrowski says. 'It's so close to his body, but he quickly tucks his left leg out from underneath and just throws his hand out to the ball. The quickness and flexibility on top are outstanding. 'Most goalkeepers in that situation would go with their feet. Then it's just a case of getting the timing right. But the fact he throws his hand at the ball is world-class. 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Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
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Highlights: Raya secures win v. Man United
Relive the top saves from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya following his Man of the Match performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Matchweek 1.
