Four Arsenal players are currently out through injury, with Mikel Arteta delivering positive Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber updates
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has issued injury updates on Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Ben White. The latter hobbled off against West Ham and has since been ruled out for the season, while Arteta is unsure if Calafiori will be available to face Burnley after he was withdrawn at half-time at London Stadium.
A detailed update on how Timber is doing was also delivered by Arteta on Friday morning, and he noted that the Dutchman has “progressed in the last few days”. Mikel Merino is Arsenal’s other injury absentee, with the Spaniard in a race against time to return this season.
Following Manchester City’s win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, Arsenal cannot win the title against Burnley next Monday at Emirates Stadium, but they will be crowned champions the following day if they win and City fail to beat Bournemouth.
Arteta will likely be keen to get a few of his key players back in the lead-up to the final day clash at Crystal Palace, with their Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain the following weekend. With all of that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest updates on Arsenal’s injured stars and when they could return.
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Riccardo Calafiori
Calafiori was replaced by Cristhian Mosquera last Sunday after he “felt something”, as per Arteta. He has since issued a new update on the Italian.
What Arteta has said: “No, we don’t know whether he’s going to be available now. We still have days ahead. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious, but we’ll have to wait and see how he reacts.”
Possible return date: Crystal Palace (A) – Sunday, May 24.
Jurrien Timber
Timber still has a chance of playing in Arsenal’s final three games despite missing the last two months with injury. Arteta was able to deliver a positive update on his condition ahead of the Gunners hosting Burnley.
What Arteta has said: “ He wanted to be very close to the team. He’s progressed a little bit in the last few days. He’s feeling better. We’re going to try to get him available as quick as possible.
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“But he’s obviously been out now for a while, unfortunately. He’s such an important player for us. We all know that. And he’s doing everything that he possibly can to help the team in any capacity. And I don’t know, his leadership, his quality and how much the team needs him. He’s trying everything that he can.”
Possible return date: Crystal Palace (A) – Sunday, May 24.
Ben White
Arsenal and now Arteta have officially announced that White is out of the Burnley, Palace and PSG games with a knee injury. The England star, however, will not require surgery.
What Arteta has said: “We have to wait and see. It looks like a long-term injury. At the moment, the focus is that we can have him back to be available for Arsenal. That’s not going to happen in many, many weeks.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Mikel Merino
Merino is still recovering from foot surgery that he underwent back in February and it is currently unclear if he will play again in this campaign.
What Arteta has said: “No chance for the weekend… I don’t know [if he will return before the end of the season]. There’s still a fair bit to do, so everything has to be smooth and quick, if they want to have a chance to play any minutes.
Possible return date: Unknown.
