- Arsenal host Liverpool on Sunday in a big showdown at the top of the table.
- Saka and Timber will participate after they were spotted with the team.
- LISTEN NOW: It’s all starting!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday.
Arsenal have received a huge boost after Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber were seen arriving at the team hotel ahead of the clash with Liverpool.
Saka has missed the Gunners’ last two games with a hamstring injury he suffered while playing for England.
Meanwhile, Timber has not played since before the international break due to a muscle problem.
Arteta confirmed that both players returned to training on Friday ahead of the clash against Arne Slot’s side, but their involvement in Sunday’s clash remains doubtful.
It appears both players will be named in the match day squad after they were seen arriving with the team on Saturday night.
Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber were seen arriving at the team hotel ahead of the clash with Liverpool.
It will be a big boost for Arteta’s side, who have suffered injury problems, with Riccardo Calafiori also a doubt for the match.
In his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta said: “He (Saka) has trained a bit on the pitch.” How far we can take it before Sunday is another question. We have another day, which is good, because this week we had an extra day. We’ll see.’
“He has had the first session in which he could be involved,” Arteta said of Timber’s possible return.
‘He’s been away for a while. “We were hoping it would be further back than it is right now, but again we have to wait and see.”
As well as captain Odegaard, the Gunners are also missing Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney due to injuries, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is yet to feature since recovering from a calf problem.
On the uncertainty over injuries, the Arsenal manager added: “I normally prefer to go to bed with the lineup in my head so I can sleep like a baby.”
Mikel Arteta confirmed that both players returned to training during his press conference on Friday.
‘But sometimes it can’t be because you have to wait until the next day. Sometimes two days before. Or just three days before you already have the idea: “Against this team this is what I’m going to do”, but when you have uncertainty about injuries, that’s complicated.”
A win against Liverpool will see Arsenal close the gap on the Reds to three points, while a defeat will ensure the Gunners stay seven points off top spot.
