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Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Gabriel is likely to play for Arsenal against Everton in their Premier League clash at the Emirates on Saturday. He revealed that the defender was training but the final call will be tomorrow.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Everton clash, Arteta stated that Gabriel was the only positive news from the injury list. He gave a vague reply when quizzed about the injury update and said via Football.London:
"There is a possibility with one of them to be available. He trained today. We will see tomorrow."
However, he confirmed that the returning player is set to be Gabriel, as Riccardo Calafiori needs time. He added about the Italian:
"We’re just respecting the times that the medical department has set. Then we monitor his evolution every single day. We understand he’s not fully ready yet, but he’s getting very close now."
Oleksandr Zinchenko is also set to miss out on Arsenal vs Everton. The defender is not ready to return but could make it back in time for the festive fixtures. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu remain out for the Gunners.
Mikel Arteta sets big target for Arsenal star
Mikel Arteta has stated that he wants Bukayo Saka to score 30-40 goals in a season. He believes that the Arsenal star can reach the target and believes that their plan is to ensure the Englishman gets enough chances. He said via Football.London:
"Yes, we always set targets but understanding how we are going to reach those targets. The idea to score 30 or 40 goals is fine but how are we going to do it and how are we going to create a plan to try to develop the player and give him the best possible chance to make sure he is able to do that."
When asked if the forward will be drifting in soon like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, he added:
"Yeah. I think that it will depend on the qualities of the players around him. For somebody to be inside rather than outside, somebody has to be outside. That player, the full-back, the attacking midfield and the NO.9 has to allow the space to do that. But I’m certainly very open to keep evolving players.
"Sometimes it is a role, sometimes it a position on the pitch and sometimes it is other things. He spends more time in this position because when the ball is far away on the opposite side it isn’t our choice where we want him. But we are certainly thinking about these things."
However, Arteta refused to call Saka a 'world-class' player as he does not like putting labels on his players. He praised the Arsenal forward as an exceptional player who is consistent. The Englishman has registered has recorded nine goals and 12 assists in 21 games across competitions this season.
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Edited by Aditya Singh