I pray He will not make the match day squad tomorrow because the last time we met He was the only player that gave me headache even though we won’: Newcastle captain Trippier reveals the only ONE Arsenal player that He is scared to face tomorrow – Not Bukayo Saka,Not Martinelli and not Ødegaard
I pray He will not make the match day squad tomorrow because the last time we met He was the only player that gave me headache even though we won’: Newcastle captain Trippier reveals the only ONE Arsenal player that He is scared to face tomorrow – Not Bukayo Saka,Not Martinelli and not Ødegaard
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has hinted that Thomas Partey could make his return to action against Newcastle on Saturday evening. The midfielder has made only four appearances in the Premier League this season having suffered with a number of problems.
Partey didn’t feature in Wednesday night’s Champions League defeat to FC Porto despite taking part in the team training on Tuesday. The Ghana international has missed the last four-and-a-half months but he could be set to return to the Gunners squad this weekend.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta was quizzed on the fitness of a number of key players, including Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
“We have another session today. We need to nail the timing of when (Partey) has enough in the tank to compete,” he said. “He’s very close. Same with Gabi [Gabriel Jesus]. He’s done a few things.
“And Alex [Zinchenko] is not far too. Tomiyasu still a little bit more.”
Jesus has been nursing a knee injury that has kept him out of the last four games while Zinchenko hasn’t featured since being replaced at half-time against Liverpool last month.
Tomiyasu, who hasn’t played for the Gunners since New Year’s Day, returned from the Asian Cup a fortnight ago now but a calf problem has delayed his return to the Arsenal squad.
“Obviously we have missed some big players and we still are,” Arteta added. “We want them back, we need them back and we need them as quick as possible.”
Asked if his players have enough in the tank to compete on all fronts, the Arsenal boss replied: “A lot because a lot of players haven’t played. I can sense that there are still five or six who I think can do more.”
Arteta was also asked about Jurrien Timber’s chances of returning to the squad before the end of the season. The Spaniard admitted that he hoped the defender would but didn’t provide any timescale on his return from an ACL injury.
