Arsenal return to Premier League action against Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on three first-team stars.
Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice picked up minor knocks during the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday.
When asked about the duo by reporters, the manager said that they are both fit. The pair have recovered well and will be available for the London derby.
Arteta said: “With Dec and Bukayo, they’re both fit. So it was just a matter of two kicks and they recovered well, so they are available for tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz recently started his rehabilitation after hamstring surgery.
When asked whether the German could return before the end of the season, Arteta added:
“Hopefully we can have him, but let’s wait. Once you get to the last stage of the rehab is when you can better understand how close or far away you are to making that next step.”
Arsenal are presently 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool. With just seven games left, it seems unlikely that the club can recover the deficit.
Despite this, the Gunners can’t give up on their slim title prospects. Arteta will expect a strong performance from his players, even with rotation.
Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Saka started on the bench during last weekend’s 1-1 league draw against Everton at Goodison Park.
We could see something similar versus the Bees tomorrow. Ben White, Jorginho, Raheem Sterling, Leandro Trossard and Ethan Nwaneri could start again.
Irrespective, the Gunners must target a victory against Thomas Frank’s side.
A victory would temporarily reduce the deficit to the top to eight points and put some pressure on Liverpool, who don’t host West Ham United until Sunday.
Arne Slot’s side have lost three of the last four games in all competitions and were far from convincing in the 1-0 win against Everton at Anfield earlier this month.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
