Arteta has provided an injury updateplaceholder image
Arteta has provided an injury update | Getty Images
Mikel Arteta and Keith Andrews have issued team news update ahead of Brentford vs Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta has been speaking ahead of Arsenal’s London derby with Brentford on Thursday night. The Gunners have another game they will feel they need to win after seeing Manchester City stroll to victory on Wednesday night.
But facing a Brentford side that has won four of their last six, they know it will be a tricky clash, and another that will test their title credentials.
Coming off the back of a 3-0 home win over Sunderland, Arsenal will be full of confidence, but it will be interesting to see how they respond to City playing a full day before, moving to within three points for now.
Ahead of the game, Arteta has provided an injury update on trio Max Dowman, Bukayo Sako and Martin Odegaard, with only two having a chance of featuring. “Max is still not available, the rest we will see,” said the Spaniard.
Elaborating on Dowman’s return, he added: “He’s doing very well, I think he will be with us in a week or so, and then he can pick up the rhythm and be available for us.”
As for Mikel Merino, who has now undergone surgery, Arteta says there is no timeline on his return, which could well be after the season. He said: “I think the doctors were really happy with the way [the surgery] went. Now it’s the start of, obviously, a long process; we’re talking about bone healing. So, we’ll respect the timings, and I’m sure he’s going to do everything he possibly can to speed up that recovery. The timeframes we’re talking about are months - whether it’s three, four or five, we don’t know.”
Asked about the prospect of facing another London side and the challenge Brentford bring, Arteta added: “It’s another tough game. We know [Brentford] at home as well, the last few results they have had, the coaching staff have been amazing. So, credit to them, because they’re a top side.”
Andrews on Brentford team news
Brentford don’t have any fresh injury concerns, with Keith Andrews confirming: “It was a very intense game. It always is when you play Newcastle, and the players were excellent on that front.
“We have the usual knocks and bruises, but nothing major that concerns anything for the selection for tomorrow.”
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