Arsenal Stars Return for Man City Clash: Arteta Boosts Squad
Mikel Arteta will walk into the Community Shield with three of his biggest hitters back at his disposal – and just in time for Manchester City.
Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Martin Zubimendi are all set to return for Arsenal in Sunday’s curtain-raiser in Cardiff, with the trio back in full training after their post-World Cup breaks.
“They will be available,” Arteta confirmed on Friday. “They trained with us today, they will train tomorrow. If they are in the condition we expect them to be, they will be involved.”
That is exactly what Arsenal wanted to hear before facing the Premier League champions. Rice and Saka rejoined the squad this week after England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in North America, while Zubimendi has linked back up with the Gunners following Spain’s tournament win.
All three are in contention to feature against a City side now led by Enzo Maresca, in a meeting between the Premier League champions and FA Cup holders that will offer an early glimpse of where both teams stand.
Saka back early, fitness fears eased
Saka was not even supposed to be here yet. The plan had been for the winger to report back on Monday, but he cut his holiday short and returned on Saturday, alongside Spain goalkeeper David Raya.
It comes after a season in which Saka played through an Achilles problem for much of the run-in. Rice, too, carried issues, revealing during the World Cup that neural pain in his hamstring had troubled him since Christmas, followed by a calf complaint and illness.
Arteta, though, is convinced the break has done its job.
“We haven’t noticed anything,” he said. “They have individual plans. Through the time they had with the national team they’ve been trying to evolve those issues and they have improved.
“In the rest period that they had, they both had specific programmes for themselves. They’ve been doing those and so far what I saw the last two or three days, it was really good.”
The sight of both players moving freely at London Colney will settle plenty of nerves before the new campaign even begins.
Squad filling up – but key absences remain
Arsenal’s squad is suddenly swelling again. Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Mikel Merino have all returned from their post-World Cup breaks and featured in Wednesday’s pre-season draw against Como, as did Raya.
But the picture is not entirely rosy.
William Saliba is out for an extended spell with a long-term back issue. The injury does not require surgery but was aggravated during the World Cup and will keep one of Arsenal’s defensive pillars sidelined as the season kicks off.
On the opposite flank, Jurrien Timber will also miss the Community Shield. The Dutch defender has been battling a persistent groin injury since March, one that cost him his place at the World Cup and limited him to a brief appearance off the bench in the Champions League final in May.
Timber on “good trajectory” – but patience required
Arteta offered a cautiously positive update on Timber’s progress, without overpromising.
“[He is] progressing really well,” the Arsenal manager said. “He’s on the pitch, we're ramping up now certain actions, especially the volume and the load.
“I think he’s on a good trajectory but still a few weeks to go.”
Asked if Timber could return before the international break next month, Arteta refused to circle a date.
“I don’t know. We have to wait and see.
“He needs to start to train with the group in the next week or so hopefully and then see how he progresses from there.
“But obviously it’s been a long-term issue and we want to make sure that every step that we take is the right one. He’s such an important player for us.”
So Arsenal head to Cardiff with their attacking heartbeat restored, their midfield reinforced and their defensive options still a little frayed. Against City, in August, in a game that so often sets the tone, we’re about to find out how much that balance really matters.
