Mikel Arteta was reluctant to offer precise updates on his Arsenal squad with injury concerns surrounding four players ahead of West Ham. The Gunners picked up an invaluable win against Premier League title rivals Liverpool last weekend, although they did not come out of the clash unscathed.
Both Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko were substituted because of injury concerns with Gabriel Jesus missing out entirely because of a knee problem. In his Friday press conference, Arteta was asked specifically about all three with his replies vague on two thirds of the trio.
«We have a few still in contention,» Arteta said when asked how Zinchenko and the returning Takehiro Tomiyasu were. «They’ve been evolving really well. Tomorrow (Saturday) we have another training session. We’re hopeful that we’ll have a few back and that we can put a very competitive squad out there. On Saka, he added: „Yes again he’s been recovering this week and he looks OK.“
Thomas Partey is another current injury absentee for Arsenal with a setback being suffered by the Ghana international ahead of the Liverpool game. Thankfully for Arteta, football.london understands the latest issue is not a serious one.
When asked if the midfielder could be available to play West Ham, Arteta said: „He’s progressing really well, but it’s a bit too soon to tell you exactly when we’re going to have him back.“ Immediately after that question, the Arsenal boss was asked if the same situation could be applied to Jesus with Arteta appearing to agree by revealing there was no update he could give on the Brazil international.
Zinchenko was replaced by Jakub Kiwior in the clash against Liverpool but Arteta now has Tomiyasu back at his disposal following Japan's Asia Cup exit. In the
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