Arsenal could potentially be handed a triple boost in defence this afternoon for their clash at home to Southampton.
Jurrien Timber and Ben White were both kept out of training on Thursday to manage their load but are “close” to featuring and a decision on their involvement has not yet been made, according to Mikel Arteta.
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Takehiro Tomiyasu, meanwhile, is on the verge of making his first-team return, having not yet made an appearance this season.
Arteta said on Friday: “We had to modify training for a lot of players [on Thursday]. It was the same today, because of the load that they had.
“So it is a decision this afternoon [whether] to involve them. They are close, and [Takehiro] Tomiyasu is close to being involved, so good news.”
Tomiyasu has been sidelined with a knee injury and the Gunners could opt to be cautious with his fitness by bringing him back into the side after the upcoming international break.
Arteta was also asked for an update on the recoveries of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard, who are out with calf and ankle injuries respectively.
“Alex [Zinchenko] probably after the international break, if everything goes well”, said Arteta. “He’s progressing really well.
“Martin, it’s very difficult, because I expected still [wearing] the boot and a lot of things but he’s working so hard and is feeling good and is pushing, so difficult to give a timeline.”
Confirmed team news
Arsenal XI: Raya; Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, Partey; Havertz, Jorginho, Rice; Saka, Jesus, Sterling
Subs: Neto, Martinelli, Kiwor, Tomiyasu, Trossard, Merino, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Butler-Oyedeji
Southampton XI: Ramsdale; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Walker-Peters; Downes, Aribo, Manning; Fernandes; Dibling, Stewart
Subs: McCarthy, Taylor, Bree, Ugochukwu, Lallana, Archer, Brereton Diaz, Armstrong, Onuachu
Injured: Odegaard, Zinchenko, Tierney
Doubts: Timber, White, Tomiyasu
Time and date: 3pm BST, Saturday, October 5, 2024
Venue: Emirates Stadium
