Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that three key first-team players are ready to feature in Saturday’s big game against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Julian Timber and William Saliba are in contention to play in the Arsenal vs Leeds match (Image: (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
Arsenal will be able to call up William Saliba and Julian Timber, who were absent from the 3-2 win over Kairat Almaty in midweek, when they travel to Leeds on Saturday afternoon.
Saliba and Timber are key cogs in the Premier League’s leanest defense, with Arsenal scoring just 17 goals this season. Both players were absent on Wednesday night as the Gunners conceded two goals, but manager Mikel Arteta confirmed both players will be back in contention for a spot at Elland Road.
When asked about his availability on Friday, the Spaniard replied: “Yeah, it’s fine.” “Obviously, they were playing a lot of minutes and had some frustrations. And it was a really good opportunity for us to take the load off them a little bit and refresh them.”
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Arteta’s side are under pressure to regain points in the league after dropping points in their last two games against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.
The draw and defeat means Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table has shrunk from nine points to just four points, with Manchester City and Aston Villa both close behind.
Kai Havertz made a triumphant return to Arsenal on Wednesday night, completing his first start in almost a year unscathed (Image: David Price/Getty Images)
The Gunners, who are aiming for their first league title in over 20 years, have also been given a boost by the return of Kai Havertz. The German striker made his first start since February last year in the win over Kairat, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
Arteta confirmed that the former Chelsea man came through unscathed and is also in contention for Saturday’s spot, saying: “Yes, he’s ready, he obviously started the game and obviously it’s been a long period of time and now we have to manage that load and the games we choose to let him start.”
“But there was no reaction to it. I think it was very positive. We saw right away the impact he could have on the team. So yeah, he’s ready.”
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