The Arsenal head coach provided updates on Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Sunderland
Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino – news that will also be closely monitored by Sunderland ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal edged past Chelsea on Tuesday night, winning 4-2 on aggregate to book their place in the Wembley final. However, Arteta’s attention has quickly turned to the fitness of key personnel, with Saka having picked up an issue during the warm-up to the 4-0 win over Leeds United.
Arteta insisted the winger’s problem does not appear serious but confirmed he will continue to be assessed before a decision is made on his availability. “We have to wait,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “Today he was better but we have to wait and see how he responds, and then make the decision. It doesn't look like something too serious. Whether he's going to be available for tomorrow or the weekend, we'll see.”
More concerning for Arsenal is the situation surrounding Merino, who is set to undergo surgery after sustaining a foot injury against Manchester United – a blow Arteta admitted was significant. “He needs to go through a procedure, which is not always positive. He's a big player for us, a player that has such versatility and capacity to compete in various positions, and that's a big blow.”
Arteta added that the injury is an unusual one and stressed the importance of allowing time for recovery once the procedure has taken place. “It's a very rare injury so we have to wait and see once we have the surgery, how that reacts daily, obviously monitor it throughout the week for the surgery and see. I know Mikel is going to do absolutely everything that he possibly can to come back as quickly as possible. But you have to respect the healing process and the fact that obviously it's an injury that is quite rare.”
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Speaking on transfer deadline day, Arteta also addressed whether Arsenal could move in the market to cover Merino’s absence, confirming the club were actively exploring their options. “When you lose a big player like this in the squad with four months to go and all the competitions to play for, you need to look, and we need to do everything that we possibly can to see if we have a player that is available. If we don't, we keep what we have.
“We have the departure of Ethan [Nwaneri] as well to Marseille for the right reasons, I believe, for the club, players and the team. Then the news of Mikel was very unexpected, especially for such a long time. So we are actively looking at options, and we will continue to do that. My day will be the same as usual, I will be busier, and if we have a final solution, I will try to do it, and if we don't, we will continue in the manner that we are now.”
Arsenal now turn their focus back to league action on Saturday, when Sunderland arrive in north London looking to extend their impressive Premier League campaign.
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