Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a double injury boost ahead of the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid on the road.
The Gunners face the Spanish outfit at the Wanda Metropolitano tomorrow, and ahead of the game, Arteta has revealed some good news on the injury front.
Kai Havertz and Eberechi Eze were substituted with injury scares during the 1-0 Premier League win over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Havertz has already been ruled out with an upper leg issue, but Eze has returned in time to face Diego Simeone’s side.
Speaking in today’s press conference, Arteta confirmed the absence of Kai Havertz, but added that Eze is ‘ready to go‘, having travelled with the team.
He said, “Kai is out, and Ebz is ready to go.”
Alongside Eze’s availability, the manager has also revealed that left-back Riccardo Calafiori is fit, having been sidelined for the last few matches.
He added: “[Riccardo] is available tomorrow.”
Arsenal have previously faced Atletico in the league phase of the Champions League this term. They ran out comfortable 4-0 victors with Viktor Gyokeres scoring a brace.
The Gunners raced into a four-nil lead shortly after the hour mark in a thoroughly dominant display, but the club could face an entirely different contest in the Spanish capital.
Atletico may adopt a more defensive mindset compared to the loss at the Emirates. They could play on the counter-attack, which is something the Gunners must guard against.
Arteta could go with an unchanged backline for the contest, but there should be changes in the final third. Gyokeres is a nailed-on starter with Havertz on the sidelines again.
Bukayo Saka could make his first start since the Carabao Cup final last month. The Englishman returned as a late substitute against the Magpies, having been nursing an Achilles injury.
Arteta has said that Saka is fully fit after playing through pain. The Gunners graduate could have a huge role to play from the right wing as the club seeks an advantage to take home.
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