Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that Bukayo Saka has a “good chance” of featuring against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night and is not planning to make many changes despite the impending Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Saka made his long-awaited, much-anticipated and desperately needed return to action after 101 days on the sidelines with a hamstring injury earlier this month. The talismanic forward scored six minutes into his comeback and was in superb form across both legs of Arsenal’s victorious Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid.
However, Saka was forced off after a reckless challenge from Ipswich Town’s Leif Davis which earned the full-back a red card on Sunday. The England international was spotted icing his ankle on the bench, prompting fears of another layoff ahead of Arsenal’s first Champions League semi-final in 16 years.
Arteta downplayed concerns at the weekend and reiterated his confidence in Saka’s recovery. “We have to wait and see how he reacts after today’s session, but there’s nothing too serious,” the Arsenal boss revealed a day before his side face Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. “If we want to, I think there’s a good chance he can play tomorrow.”
Arsenal have a six-day gap between their Premier League clash with Palace at the Emirates and the visit of PSG next Tuesday, but Arteta was still asked if he would consider making multiple alterations for the midweek contest. “We cannot think about that,” Arteta insisted. “When players are fit and available, they have to play. They are at their best when they play and have consistency in their performances.
“Physically they are good, emotionally they are good, they understand the rhythm and the way they make decisions is at their best. If they’re not available, there is no discussion. If they’re not in a condition to perform, they won’t play. If they are, we will.”
“There’s a balance to be struck,” Arteta continued, “you have to make sure you are sensible in your decision making. But we have a top staff to guide us, tell us what we are doing and what the risks are. But in football, anything can happen.”
The Arsenal boss also revealed that Riccardo Calafiori and, crucially, Jorginho are “out”. “Jorginho will be out for a few weeks, unfortunately,” Arteta revealed.
Thomas Partey is suspended for the first leg of Arsenal’s semi-final against PSG, robbing the Gunners of a key midfielder who Jorginho would typically have replaced.
