Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on four players ahead of the Premier League clash against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
The Gunners are currently unbeaten in their first nine games of the campaign. They registered an impressive 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in midweek.
Arsenal will be aiming to continue the good run when the Saints visit the Emirates Stadium tomorrow.
Ahead of the game, the manager has revealed that Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu will need to be assessed in today’s afternoon training session.
He said on the duo (via football.london): “We had to modify training for a lot of players. It was the same today. There will be a decision to make this afternoon yes or no. They are close and Tomiyasu is too.”
Meanwhile, Arteta added that Oleksandr Zinchenko is most likely to return after the international break, but admitted that Martin Odegaard is far away from a comeback.
He added: “Alex probably after the international break. Martin is very difficult. I expected still with the boot and a lot of things but he’s working so hard and he’s pushing.”
The Gunners are currently third in the league standings with 14 points, one behind leaders Liverpool.
The club are expected to secure a resounding win over the Saints tomorrow, but recent history suggests that the game won’t be straightforward for the London giants.
Southampton have been a bogey club for Arsenal with two draws and one loss in the last three meetings. They have the chance to avenge those results with a convincing win on Saturday.
Arteta has gone with an unchanged side for the last two games in all competitions, but he could be forced into a change in personnel if Timber does not pass the fitness test.
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