Arsenal news as Mikel Arteta will hope to welcome back one of his star players this weekend in the Premier League.
Arsenal’s full focus will go into the Premier League title race now after they finished their Champions League group stage campaign this week.
The Gunners drew 1-1 with PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday and returned to London with no fresh injury concerns.
Mikel Arteta faced criticism from supporters after his reluctance to rest all his key players and hand the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Reuell Walters and Lino Sousa starts in the Netherlands.
However, there was rotation in the team named. Jakub Kiwior and Cedric Soares made rare starts at full-back with Mohamed Elneny partnering Jorginho in midfield.
Arsenal need his full squad back to charge for the title
Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah all started in attack, meaning Arsenal’s preferred front three of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were all rested.
The much-needed rest comes at a perfect time for the Gunners with their title race with Manchester City and Liverpool continuing to heat up. Next up for the north Londoners is Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
It’s the first of four Premier League games between now and 2024 meaning
Arteta will need his squad depth to come through now more than ever. Fortunately for the Spaniard, they welcomed Emile Smith Rowe back to action in midweek.
The Hale End graduate returned to team training this week before playing seven minutes against PSV. Smith Rowe will be hoping that his injury setbacks are behind him after 18 months of struggles.
“I think what he’s been through is part of the experience that 90% of footballers have to go through,
Which is difficulties, injuries, setbacks and different types of performances now,” Arteta told the press on Monday.
“That’s all in his bag now. If he can use that in a powerful way he’ll be a much better player. The way he’s done his rehab I haven’t seen him do it before like how he’s done it this time. You see the way his teammates reacted to his comeback which is really positive as well. The moment we can give him chances the better we’re going to be.”
Arsenal will also be hoping that Takehiro Tomiyasu’s return from a calf injury goes smoothly. The right-back sustained the problem against Wolves and has been ruled out for at least a month – leaving the Gunners short in defence.
