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Mikel Arteta offers Bukayo Saka & William Saliba injury updates before Chelsea clash.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he is yet to decide if injured duo Bukayo Saka and William Saliba will play against Chelsea on Saturday.
Saka missed the 1-0 win over Manchester City before the international break due to a knock, which also kept him out of England duty, while Saliba worsened a toe condition against the Premier League champions and was forced to withdraw from the France team.
Fans have been sweating over both players’ fitness for the previous two weeks ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chelsea, who, while still 11th in the Premier League rankings, have showed flashes of great brilliance in recent weeks.
Asked whether he had any team news to share, Arteta told Friday’s press conference: “Not a lot. We haven’t had a lot of players. We’re going to do our first training session today, and we’ll know more after the session.”
Pressed on Saka’s fitness, the boss added, “He’s been working so hard to be fit for this game. So let’s see where he’s at today.”
Saliba’s participation against Chelsea is uncertain due to a toe ailment, according to Arteta, who disclosed that it has been affecting the center-back for weeks.
“Hopefully [it won’t be a long-term issue], but obviously he’s been carrying that for weeks now and we have to give him time to settle,” the boss said.
On Saliba’s chances of facing Chelsea, Arteta concluded: “Depending again on how he trains today.”
Arsenal is currently tied for second place in the Premier League standings with Tottenham Hotspur, who are ahead solely on goals scored.
With Spurs not playing Fulham until Monday night, Arteta’s team has a chance to reclaim first place in the Premier League with a win over Chelsea.