Mikel Arteta has confirmed Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori will be available for selection when Newcastle visit the Emirates tomorrow.
Saka, who has been managing an Achilles issue, has not featured for the Gunners since the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City on 22 March.
His absence over the last five games has been felt. Arsenal exited the FA Cup to Southampton before slipping to two damaging league defeats in succession.
Calafiori, meanwhile, has missed the last three matches with a knock, having already sat out January’s fixtures with a muscle problem. The Italian’s return gives Arteta another option at left-back, although Piero Hincapie may prove difficult to shift after some assured recent displays.
“Bukayo is probably is going to be in the squad, so, good news,” revealed Arteta in his [pre-game press conference](https://youtu.be/tORX32BNSl0?si=p6DKqFT3861ilJH6).
“Probably in the squad as well,” he added when pressed on Calafiori.
Jurrien Timber continues to work his way back from a groin and hip issue, while Mikel Merino is stepping up his recovery from the fractured foot that required surgery. It remains to be seen how much either player can contribute during the run-in.
Ah, yes, the run-in. A five-game shootout with City for the title. Arsenal have not just surrendered top spot; after their win over Burnley on Wednesday, Pep Guardiola’s side now sit there themselves, ahead only on goals scored. It really could not be tighter.
Because of City’s FA Cup involvement, Arsenal have the chance to reclaim first place quickly if they beat Newcastle and Fulham, either side of a Champions League semi-final trip to Atletico Madrid, before City next face Everton away on 4 May. In short, it is do or die for the Gunners.
“The clarity of what we have to do, it cannot be better,” said Arteta. “Five games to go. Tomorrow, game one – all in. Let’s go for it.”
“Win tomorrow. Game one, win, and then we’ll be much closer,” he added when asked about Arsenal’s chances of ending a 22-year wait for the Premier League title.
“I believe in our players, in our people, and the willingness that we have to achieve what we want.”
“It’s five games to go, four weeks, two big competitions to play for and everything to play for.
“If somebody would have told us at the beginning of the season, we would have taken it. We are so excited. Tomorrow is game one.”
“You have to put everything into it. It’s all in. When you’re going to play those five games tomorrow, everything that you have, you have to put it on the table, and you have to make it happen. That’s clear.”
That message has clearly made it through to the team. After taking a couple of days off to process Sunday’s defeat, defender William Saliba is pumped for what comes next.
Speaking to [Arsenal.com,](https://www.arsenal.com/news/william-saliba-we-need-stay-calm) he said: “I think we need to be calm. We need to die on the pitch as well, because it’s now. Now we have to go, and we need everyone: the supporters, the team, the staff, everyone, because we have to do it now. After that, it’s too late.
“When the season is finished, it’s too late; you have to start the next season. It’s now. You have to give everything and die on the pitch.
“Last game we wanted to win, and we didn’t. But it’s not finished. Now we know what we have coming, and we know what we have to do if we want to win the league. We have to start on Saturday.
“We have good pressure with us because when you play football, you want to play these kinds of games. We’re ready for that.”