Mikel Arteta has given fitness updates on Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 second leg against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 18: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa FC at Emirates Stadium on January 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Arsenal are set to face PSV Eindhoven in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday, holding a 7-1 lead after an emphatic win in the Netherlands.
For many, the tie is already a foregone conclusion, which perhaps opens the door for Mikel Arteta to rotate a bit.
On that subject, Arteta addressed the possibility of giving Ben White his first start since his return from injury.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Ben White of Arsenal celebrates at full-time during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Arsenal FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 15, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
“I think we have to manage him very well because he was still having some issues to manage in terms of the load,” Arteta explained.
“We’re very cautious of that to make sure that when he comes back he can now maintain that level and there’s no more setbacks, but I think he’s in a good position now to give him a start.”
White has made three substitute appearances so far, coming off the bench against West Ham, Nottingham Forest, and in the first leg against PSV. But it would be a positive step for him to make the starting lineup now.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 05: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal reacts following substitution due to a hamstring injury during the Carabao Cup Semi Final Second Leg match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park on February 05, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
In other news, Arteta confirmed that Gabriel Martinelli will be available again, having clearly suffered no ill-effects after his first game back against Manchester United on Sunday.
Martinelli played 32 minutes of the United clash, and Arteta confirmed: “Everybody finished the game against Man United with no issues, so I expect the same players to be available and Gabby for sure will be available as well.”
Unfortunately, that also means no return for Arsenal’s injured players, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kai Havertz. But other than Saka, none of the group were expected to be back this season anyway.
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