Arsenal host Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, and manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on a handful of crucial players.
The Gunners enjoyed a resounding victory over Tottenham Hotspur last time out, responding to back-to-back draws against Brentford and Wolves by dismantling their local rivals. With Manchester City overcoming Newcastle United on the same weekend, Arsenal’s lead at the summit of the English top flight remains at five points.
A dispirited Chelsea side are up next for the North Londoners, and Arteta’s men should be capable of seeing off a team that were held by Burnley at Stamford Bridge in their last fixture.
Mikel Arteta issues injury updates on Kai Havertz and Ben White
Kai Havertz has been struggling with injury over the last 12 months, and the German hasn’t played for the Gunners since their 3-0 win over Sunderland earlier this month.
He has been consistently unavailable this term, prompting Arsenal supporters to raise concerns about his long-term durability. Meanwhile, Ben White has endured similar recurring fitness issues, also sparking discourse about his future at the Emirates.
Speaking to the media on Friday afternoon, Arteta provided an update on both players.
“We are waiting until tomorrow to find out if we have one or two (more) available from last week,” the Spaniard said.
“Max [Dowman] will play some minutes today with the U21s, Kai will train tomorrow, so let’s see.”
On White, he said: “let’s see.”
Bukayo Saka available for Chelsea clash
Not only have the likes of White, Havertz and Odegaard consistently been plagued by injury this term, but so has the Gunners’ talisman, Bukayo Saka. The winger has missed multiple matches due to various problems, including most recently a hip injury sustained in the warm-up away at Leeds United.
In the 90th minute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Saka pulled up with an unknown issue and was subsequently withdrawn. While he regularly limps off the field in some discomfort, this still set alarm bells ringing for some Arsenal fans.
However, it’s been confirmed that this change was largely precautionary and that he should be available to face Chelsea.
