Timber is battling to returnplaceholder image
Timber is battling to return | AFP via Getty Images
All the early injury news surrounding Arsenal and Leeds United ahead of their Premier League clash.
Arsenal are back in Premier League action on Saturday when they face a Leeds United side in solid form. The Gunners defeat Kairat in the Champions League on Wednesday night to top the league phase and progress to the next round without a need for a play-off.
In the Premier League, the Gunners saw their lead slashed by three points after a defeat to Manchester United last time out, so they will be desperate to get back to winning ways here. Leeds will be no pushovers, though, in 16th place but six points clear of the drop after losing just one of their last 11 games across all competitions. Six of those have been draws, but Daniel Farke will be delighted with such a positive return, and every point is crucial when battling the drop.
Here we round up the early team news surrounding both sides ahead of this one.
Gabriel Gudmundsson - Doubt
Farke said last week: “Gudmundsson is struggling - a bit of an adductor problem - so we had to leave him out of training today. He's an important player for us, and of course, I hope that he is available for the game on Monday night.” Gudmundsson did not return as hoped, but logic suggests he should be back here.
Daniel James - Doubt
James has a chance of returning from a hamstring issue here. Farke said last week: “Also, good news, Daniel, yesterday and today. First time part integrated in team training. Pretty close to joining us back in full team training... but of course, he was out for more than two months.”
Jaka Bijol - Out
Bijol is going to be out until at least late February. Farke said earlier this month: “I think it depends a bit on how the next days will develop. It's predicted 3-5 weeks, we will see. Let's see how it develops. Important player for us. If there would be a setback with Jaka's rehab late in January, we would react. But until then I'm fine.”
William Saliba - Doubt
Arteta said ahead of the Kairat game: “No, [they] are not [available]. They have some niggles... It's a good opportunity now that we make a different kind of work with them to get them in the best possible condition for the weekend, hopefully.”
Jurrien Timber - Doubt
The same update was offered of Timber, who will be battling to return this weekend.
Max Dowman - Out
Arteta said before the Chelsea game: “Very similar to Mosquera. Very similar injury, very similar time frames, and both evolving really well, but they're not training yet, so they're still a few weeks away.”
Continue Reading