Arsenal will welcome back Riccardo Califiori and Ethan Nwaneri for their Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb, but William Saliba and Bukayo Saka remain absent.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed the duo will be involved in Wednesday’s game at the Emirates after missing the Gunners’ last three games in all competitions against Manchester United, Tottenham and Aston Villa, with Nwaneri, 17, also injured for their defeat 2-0. at Newcastle in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
“Very positive news. We missed them for a few weeks and they came back today for training. They will be available for the match,” Arteta said of the returning pair.
The Spaniard also shared positive news on the fitness of influential centre-back Saliba, who missed Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Villa, but said tomorrow’s clash would come too soon.
Arteta added: “He is developing very well. In recent days, he has already felt much better but this match comes a little too early for him.
England striker Saka is also stepping up his return from a hamstring injury sustained against Crystal Palace on December 21.
“That’s not going to change. I think that’s part of the process and the time we had. This phase is over now.
“He’s doing really well. He feels better every day but we have to respect the healing process and then he has other steps to take in rehabilitation.
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–Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 20, 2025
Knockout qualification in perspective
The draw against Villa, which saw them surrender a two-goal lead, saw Arsenal lose further ground in the title race. The North Londoners are now six points behind Liverpool after playing a game more than the leaders.
But there were no such problems for Arteta’s men in Europe, with a victory for the third-placed team on Wednesday all but securing their place in the last 16.
“So far we have done very well. We are in a strong position and now it is time to capitalize at home,” Arteta said of tomorrow’s clash and his campaign so far.
“The work we have done for many months, we need a strong performance against a very good team and we will try to do that.”
Automatic qualification for the knockout stages with a top-eight finish brings the added benefit of not being involved in a two-legged knockout match, which could prove a handy decrease in workload then that they continue to fight in the league and in the Carabao Cup.
“Let’s do what we need to do first, which is always difficult because we’re talking about the Champions League,” Arteta added. “If we can do that, obviously we will have the best ideas on the table to make the right decision.
“Yeah, that was very helpful. [a break last season] with the schedule we have for the last three months, you can take a break and reset a little bit, work on things and rest some people, but some people are back. That would be great.
Arsenal transfer news
Arteta was asked about Arsenal’s January transfer activity as the window enters the final 10 days, with the north Londoners in the market for a striker addition.
“I understand this happens. I get a lot of people texting me “you after him” and that. I don’t even know what they’re talking about.
“I’m not too much. I have enough work to do with lots of things that I don’t get too distracted.
