Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey are in contention to play in Arsenal’s blockbuster clash with Manchester City on Sunday at the Emirates.
Saka was taken off after just 31 minutes during Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to French side Lens in the Champions League on Tuesday, owing to a suspected muscular injury, and despite saying after the game that it did ‘not look good’ for the winger, Arteta has now revealed he could feature against City.
Arteta said: ‘He’s in contention, let’s see how he progresses from here to Sunday.
‘He had to leave the pitch, that’s never good news but let’s see how he recovers. I leave that for the doctors.’
Arteta also confirmed that Thomas Partey is ‘ahead of schedule’, with the Ghanaian midfielder making his return to the Arsenal bench having not featured for his side since the opening game of the season against Nottingham Forest.
‘He is ahead of schedule, that’s for sure’, Arteta said.
‘We wanted to have him in the squad if we needed to, the way the game panned out we had other necessities and we didn’t use him. He will be in the squad.’
Despite the magnitude of Arsenal’s game against City, Arteta was quick to downplay any suggestions that this game will serve to define the club’s season, stating that it would merely grant his side three points and help ‘boost energy and confidence levels.’
Arsenal have not beaten Manchester City in the league since 2015 but did edge them earlier this season in the Community Shield final.
Arteta reflected on that win, saying: ‘That was an important one for us. Winning a title against City is something you always have to value, the way we did it as well.
‘It gives us confidence and belief that we can beat them.’
As for Arsenal’s lingering wait for a win over City, Arteta was quick to highlight how the damning record is not a fair representation of the current pool of players at the club.
‘We are not looking that far, that’s for sure.
‘They were not players participating in those games, but one thing for certain is we’re going to have to be at our best in every department for 100 minutes. Then we have a chance.’
