Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal injury blow for Shakhtar amid Saka and Timber updates
Mikel Arteta has provided a fitness update on Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Saka was absent for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth with a hamstring issue picked up on international duty. There had been suggestions that the 23-year-old could be available for the trip to the Vitality Stadium, but ultimately the problem was too big to overcome. Now Arteta has suggested that he has a chance to be involved on Tuesday.
"With Bukayo let’s see how he is with the training session later on," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.
There are also doubts over Timber’s availability for Tuesday’s clash. The Dutch international has been absent since Arsenal’s last Champions League clash with PSG prior to the international break, and has not trained as a result of a muscular problem. Arteta suggested that he still has a chance of playing, though.
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"I think it's gonna be close," the Spaniard said. "We'll have to see how he deals with training with the whole group because he hasn't done it yet."
There was a bit more clarity when it comes to Odegaard, however. The Arsenal skipper has been absent since September after sustaining ankle ligament damage while on duty with Norway.
He is entering the final stages of his rehab and Arteta has revealed he expects him to be back prior to the November international break. Arteta confirmed that Tuesday’s clash with Shakhtar will be too soon though.