Arteta provides fitness update for injured trio ahead of Leicester clash

Dan Butterfield
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and defender Kieran Tierney

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of three key players ahead of his sides clash with Leicester on Saturday afternoon.

Arsenal come into the fixture in good form, unbeaten in their last eight fixtures in all-competitions but face a good Leicester side who themselves are unbeaten in five.

The Gunners will be hoping to welcome back Kieran Tierney from injury at the King Power. The left-back has missed the last two games with an ankle injury and Arteta has admitted that is unsure if Tierney will be available.


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“He’s progressing training. Let’s see how he is today. He felt a bit better last few days but he wasn’t 100% to start the other day. We’ll see how he is in the last 48 hours,” said the Spaniard.

Another defensive injury problem has arisen as a result of a knock that Ben White picked up in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Leeds in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

The defender has impressed in recent week after initially struggling since his arrival from Brighton for £50million in the summer. White is another player that Arteta is unsure of his availability.

“He hasn’t trained yet so we will have to see how he’s feeling and see how he is.”

Martin  Odegaard is also a doubt for Saturday’s fixture after missing the cup clash in midweek. Arteta admitted that the Norwegian has been struggling with injuries since pre-season.

“Well he came back a little bit late don’t forget that. He had an injury in pre-season, he picked up an injury recently as well.”

The Arsenal boss also gave an update on the two out-of-favour stars who impressed against Leeds. Forward Eddie Nketiah got himself on the scoresheet against his former side whilst goalkeeper Bernd Leno made a number of superb saves to keep the game at 0-0.

“When he plays he needs to be at his best level and when he’s not he needs to support the others like everybody else,” admitted the 39-year-old when asked about the German ‘keeper.

Speaking about Nketiah, Arteta said: He’s another one that is constantly pushing. Every time he’s got a chance he takes that chance. There are other players involved in that position. He’s the same as other players without many minutes because we don’t have Europe this season.”