Mikel Arteta has hinted that World Cup finalist William Saliba could play for Arsenal when they make their Premier League return on Boxing Day.
Arsenal play host to West Ham on December 26th, when they’ll hope to extend their five-point lead at the top of the table.
It will be their first competitive match since the end of Qatar 2022 and as such the availability of the 10 Gunners players who went to the tournament is in question.
Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus is out through a long-term knee injury but as for the rest we have yet to have an official update until now.
In his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Arteta confirmed that they are all available for selection, saying: ‘Everyone is here; they were all fine.
‘Some came earlier than expected and they were buzzing to be back and part of it. I feel a really good energy around the place. They have got straight away into the rhythm and what we want.
‘They are in a really good place. Obviously a huge blow with Gabriel Jesus and his injury and we’ll miss him for a period of time.
‘The season has challenges, that’s a challenge we have to overcome, but if you’re going to be at the top there’s going to be those challenges.’
This will come as great news to Arsenal fans, as the likes of Bukayo Saka, Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Martinelli have played a crucial role in the club’s success so far this season.
Another player who has been key this campaign is Saliba, who Arteta confirmed will arrive back from Qatar on Friday having reached the World Cup final with France only to lose to Argentina on penalties.
The centre-back hardly featured for Didier Deschamps’ side, playing just 27 minutes in the defeat to Tunisia, and that combined with his late return would surely mean that the 21-year-old isn’t ready for the West Ham clash.
But Arteta surprisingly suggested that he may indeed feature against the Irons, adding: ‘It depends on how he comes back. Let’s see.
‘We have the data on what he’s done in training. In terms of minutes he didn’t participate much but it was a huge experience for him. When he gets back we’ll see.
‘We have of course a lot of contact but it’s one thing on the phone and another in person when you can actually talk to him directly, see how he is in training and see how he gets the rhythm.’
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