Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke to the media ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League semi-final second leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG beat Arsenal 1-0 in the first leg, giving Arteta and his players a one-goal deficit to overturn at the Parc des Princes.
Since the first leg, both the Gunners and the Parisiens have faced fitness issues, with Ousmane Dembele sustaining an injury at the Emirates.
To PSG’s relief and Arsenal’s agony, Dembele has returned to training ahead of the second leg, giving Luis Enrique’s side a boost.
Arteta will hope for injury news as positive as his opponents’, as injuries have struck his squad prior to the decisive match-up.
Mikel Arteta shares Arsenal injury update ahead of PSG
Jurrien Timber missed Arsenal’s clash with Bournemouth due to injury, with the Dutchman considered to be an early doubt for PSG.
The fullback wasn’t Arteta’s only injury concern, as Martin Odegaard was forced to address his fitness, fortunately denying rumours of a problem.
To settle the score, the Arsenal manager shared an injury update when speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference.
Discussing Timber, the Spaniard revealed that there’s a possibility that the 23-year-old could start in Paris.
“I will assess him today as to whether he can start tomorrow,” he said.
After sharing an optimistic update on Timber, Arteta confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori has travelled with the squad and is fit to play.
“He’s travelled and he’s fit and he’s ready to play when we need him, so that’s great news obviously.”
Both Calafiori and Timber were spotted in training prior to the Gunners’ trip to Paris, giving Arteta a boost in defence.
Perfect timing for Calafiori’s return
PSG schooled Arsenal in the first leg, which to some was a surprise, given that the Gunners beat the French side 2-0 earlier this season.
After that meeting at the Emirates, Enrique admitted Arsenal were superior to PSG, drawing attention to the hosts’ physicality and duel-winning expertise.
Calafiori is strong in both areas, making his return the perfect time for Arteta, particularly if Timber is to miss out.
The Italian has a role to play amid an injury-tainted debut campaign, with the stakes rarely as high as the Champions League semi-final.
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