There have been a significant number of injuries to Arsenal stars over the past couple of months, leading to a somewhat depleted squad before the Gunners’ Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
Eberechi Eze, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli all left the pitch in discomfort following the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Newcastle, and questions over their availability loomed ahead of Arsenal’s matchup against their Spanish opponents.
Longer-term injuries to Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber mean that the duo have not been seen playing for the club in recent weeks, but both have been assumed to be making a return sooner rather than later.
Mikel Arteta’s press conference on Tuesday evening before his side’s Champions League match made it clear who was in and who was out.
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Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber are out of matchday squad, but Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori return
When asked about the availability of the two players taken off precautionarily during the Newcastle game, Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta stated, “Kai [Havertz] is out. Ebs [Eberechi Eze] is ready to go.”
On the injured defensive duo of Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, Arteta said ‘yes’ to Calafiori’s availability and ‘no’ to Timber’s, indicating the Dutch player is still not ready to return.
It is unknown currently if Eze or Calafiori will start at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday, but it can be assumed from Mikel Arteta’s comments that they will at least be in the matchday squad.
Havertz and Timber’s precise return dates are still unknown.
