Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Martin Zubimendi are jin88bet.one available for this afternoon’s Community Shield meeting with Manchester City, despite the trio missing the c ak168app.baby lub’s pre-season programme.
All three players have now returned to training after extended breaks following the World Cup and have rejoined the Arsenal squad. Arteta indicated they could be invo ak168app.club lved at Wembley, provided they respond well to another training session.
“They will be available; they trained with us today. They will train tomorrow ks168app.site , and if they’re in the condition we expect them to be in, they will be involved,” Arteta told reporters.
Saka finished last season managing an Achilles problem, while Rice said during the World Cup that he had been suffering from hamstring-related n ic88 eural pain since December. The England midfielder also subsequently dealt with a knee issue.
Arteta believes time away ic88 from football has benefited both players as Arsenal prepare for the new campaign. He also feels captain Martin Ødegaard is in a strong position to rediscover his best form after an injury-disrupted season.
“With him [Odegaard] and ic88 Bukayo as well, I see something else. Obviously they had some issues last year and they couldn’t have the consistency levels that they know they can bring to the team,” the 44-year-old manager said.
“So there’s a big ic88 margin and a big gap there that I think the team is going to benefit from because I can see the desire in them.”
Ødegaard made only 16 Premier League starts last season after recurring knee, muscle lr88 and shoulder injuries interrupted his campaign. Arteta said the Norway international and Saka had been unable to maintain the level of consistency they know they can offer lr88 Arsenal, but added that their motivation was clear.
The Community Shield provides Arsenal with an immediate test against Manchester City before the start of their Premier League campaign. Th lr88 e Gunners will begin their league season away to Coven lr88 try City on Friday, August 21.
Arteta also gave an update on defender Jurrien Timber, who is stepping up his recovery from the groin injury that kept him out of op88 the World Cup.
The Dutchman has returned to work on the pitch and is increasing the intensity of his rehabilitation, but remains several weeks away from a first-team comeback.
“Jurrien is progressing really well, he is on the pitch,” Arteta said.
“We’re ramping up now with certain actions and especially the volume 88v and the load, and I think he’s on a good trajectory, but there are still a few weeks to go. He needs to start training with the group in the next week or so, hopefully, and then see how he progresses from there.”
Centre-back William Saliba remains unavailable because of a back injury sustained during the World Cup.
