Mikel Arteta has issued an Arsenal injury update ahead of Saturday’s Premier League home fixture against Bournemouth
Mikel Arteta has confirmed Eberechi Eze will be fit for Arsenal to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
The England international, who has missed around three weeks with a calf issue, returned to training with his club team-mates on Thursday afternoon following Tuesday’s Champions League triumph over Sporting CP.
When quizzed on Eze’s condition, Arteta said: “He is available. My first conversation with him after felt that niggle he wanted to be available the next week. That was not possible. The recovery, the way he has shown to get back, the way he has pushed.”
Captain Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Piero Hincapie, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber all missed Thursday’s session on the grass due to various fitness problems.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
But Arteta has indicated Arsenal’s ranks could well be bolstered for the clash with the Cherries despite keeping his cards close to his chest.
When asked if any of them could return this weekend, the Spaniard added: “Yes, there have been changes there since yesterday.”
He was then pushed on who might be back, to which he replied: “I don’t know. Some of them.”
Arteta has also offered hope Mikel Merino could be back before the end of the season after undergoing surgery on his foot.
The Gunners head coach said on the versatile Spaniard’s recovery: “Well he’s another one who is going to push every boundary. He’s doing a lot of exercises already.
“He reacted well to the surgery and he has no pain. I am sure there is a chance to make that period shorter.”
Odegaard was forced off in the second half in Portugal with an unspecified issue and Norway boss Stale Solbakken later confirmed that the 27-year-old had suffered a small injury setback.
Solbakken said while speaking at the Football Conference 2026 in Oslo: “He got a little one [injury] where he shouldn’t have, but I don’t think it’s anything serious. He’ll be on the field in the near future. It was a small setback, and we don’t need any more of them.”
Saka has not kicked a ball since the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City while Hincapie picked up a hamstring injury while away on international duty with Ecuador.
Right-back Timber has been nursing a groin issue since starting the 2-0 win over Everton one month ago when he was substituted before the half-time interval.
Arsenal can move 12 points clear of Manchester City with victory over Andoni Iraola’s side, who they lost 2-1 to last May despite leading through Declan Rice.
Goals from Dean Huijsen and Evanilson saw the Cherries record a precious victory at the Emirates Stadium to keep their slim European qualification chances alive.
This time Bournemouth head to north London on an 11-match unbeaten streak and they’ll be keen to extend that run and put another dent in Arsenal’s title charge.
Arteta has called upon the home supporters to push his team over the line, stating: “It is a big day for us, its a 12:30 kick-off, get up early, bring your lunch bring your dinner! Let’s go!”
Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package
Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.
Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.
