Mikel Arteta says that Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori are “probably going to be in the squad” for Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United.
Saka, 24, has been nursing an Achilles issue since before their Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester City on March 22, which was his most recent appearance for club or country.
Calafiori, 23, most recently played away to Sporting in the Champions League on April 7, but has missed Arsenal’s last three matches in all competitions with a knock.
Jurrien Timber will not be in the matchday squad for Newcastle, but on Saka and Calafiori, Arteta said: “Now we need to get the best version out of them. Being available is not enough, being available in your best version is what we need in this stage of the season. But at least they are with us. They certainly make us stronger.”
Arsenal have needed to manage Saka’s Achilles issue carefully, given he had discomfort in that area last season, too.
While he was initially called up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for their March internationals, the 24-year-old returned to Arsenal without taking part in training, unlike Declan Rice.
Speaking ahead of last week’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City, Arteta said that Saka was unavailable because Arsenal had to “protect the player”.
Ahead of Newcastle at home this weekend, the Arsenal manager said: “We have given him some time because there was a moment where he was struggling to sustain performances because he wasn’t comfortable at all.
“He had the right treatment, the right space and he also had some time for himself. Now is the most important part of the season and he’s back with us.
“I think it was a good time for him to reflect on that and have some peace because we’ve been constantly demanding (things of) him. It was a moment to say ‘okay, when you feel ready, let us know and we’ll go for it’.”
Despite dealing with hip and hamstring injuries too this season, Saka has appeared in 27 of Arsenal’s 32 league matches this season — starting 22 of those games.
Calafiori has appeared in 22 league games this season, which already beats his tally of 19 from last term. This includes a run of 15 successive starts between August and December, which only came to an end because of a yellow card suspension.
Calafiori has missed Arsenal’s last three games (Glyn Kirk / AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal have also been without Mikel Merino since January after the Spain international required foot surgery.
Asked whether he could return before the end of the season, Arteta added: “It’s a bit premature to say that. He’s evolving really well. He’s really pushing every boundary he can but it’s a bit early to answer that question.”
Arsenal have a minimum of seven games to play this season across the Premier League and Champions League. Should they progress to the Champions League final, that number will increase to eight, with the final to be played on May 30.
Before they can start thinking that far, however, Arteta has reiterated that full focus for now will be on Newcastle – who Arsenal face at 5:30pm UK time on Saturday, April 25.
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