Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta had loads of excellent news to provide out on Monday afternoon, as he addressed the press forward of their conflict with Fulham. That included a number of damage developments that won’t have gone unnoticed by the Actual Madrid teaching workers at Valdebebas.
Los Blancos are getting ready for his or her Copa del Rey semi-final in opposition to Actual Sociedad on Tuesday evening, and did so with out Thibaut Courtois, who stays injured. He’s anticipated to return in opposition to Arsenal, however Carlo Ancelotti is sweating extra on the health of Ferland Mendy and Dani Ceballos who’re focusing on the primary leg on the Emirates on the eighth of April for his or her return from damage.
In the meantime Arteta will probably be with out defender Riccardo Calafiori, who returned from Italy responsibility with a muscle damage. The Basque supervisor’s evaluation suggests he will likely be absent for each legs in opposition to Actual Madrid.
“It may have been a lot worse. Hopefully it’s going to be a matter of weeks, however we have now to see how the damage evolves,” he informed BBC Sport.
He additionally had a optimistic replace on Jurrien Timber, on the alternative aspect of the defence.
“Jurrien [Timber] has been unwell for lengthy however he has felt a lot better in the previous few days, so he’s out there [for Fulham].”
Star winger Saka could have two video games to get his eye in after three months out earlier than Los Blancos go to London.
“Bukayo Saka is able to go. All of the cautious issues are already executed. Now it’s about placing him within the grass on the proper second. However he’s pushing as a result of he actually desires to. We have now revered the timeline and we have now executed the whole lot. He is able to go.”
With Calafiori out, it may make approach for the far more attacking Myles Lewis-Skelly on the left aspect of Arsenal’s defence. The Gunners face Fulham on the Emirates on Tuesday evening kicking off quarter-hour after Actual Madrid, after which journey to Everton on Saturday lunchtime. Actual Madrid will host Valencia on Saturday afternoon on the Bernabeu too.