Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta doesn’t have any concerns over the fitness of Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli ahead of the imminent return of the Premier League.
The World Cup has come to an end and there is a swift turnaround before domestic action resumes on Boxing Day, when the Gunners face a London derby at the Emirates against West Ham.
Saka’s England and Martinelli’s Brazil both fell at the quarter-final stage in Qatar so they have had time to recover from their World Cup exploits and Arteta says he has no worries about them being ready for the Hammers.
‘I don’t have any concerns,’ Arteta said of the two forwards. ‘They have assessed really well and they will be training for us in the next few days so hopefully they will be ready.
‘They came back [to the club] straight away into the rhythm, shape and mood of the team.
‘We are waiting for them and they are desperate to be back as well. I’ve spoken to both of them, Gabi was here on Saturday: a big smile, big energy and ready to go again. It’s going to be a big boost for the team.’
It is good news for those two key men in Arteta’s plans, but the Spaniard does have injury concerns, most notably Gabriel Jesus who is set to be out for at least another couple of months with a knee injury.
Takehiro Tomiyasu, Reiss Nelson and Oleksandr Zinchenko are all expected to miss the game against West Ham as well.
The injury to Jesus will be a huge worry for Arsenal fans, as they look to continue their immense start to the season which sees them five points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Arteta has backed Eddie Nketiah to step up and grab his opportunity to shine in the starting XI which will inevitably be on the way.
‘Eddie is always ready,’ said the manager. ‘He knows that it opens an opportunity for him. He needs to grab it but the way he trains every day and the mentality he has, he gives us no reason not to think he’s going to be super ready to perform.’
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