Mikel Arteta has released an update on the fitness of our first team ahead of the Champions League clash against Kairat Almaty.
The manager was first asked if defensive duo William Saliba and Jurrien Timber would be involved after they missed training on Tuesday morning.
“No, those are not (available),” said the boss at the Sobha Realty Training Center, “it’s a good opportunity now that we do a different type of work with them to get them in the best possible condition for the weekend, hopefully.”
In addition to the absences of William and Jurrien on Wednesday, we will also be without Mikel Merino and Declan Rice, both suspended after receiving three yellow cards in the first seven games of the league phase.
With four regular starters from the first team out, Mikel will look to use his squad, something for which he is more than prepared.
“It has been like this for the first seven months of the competition, whether with this competition, the domestic league and the Champions League, or also with international players playing for their countries.
“There is nothing new. The good news is that now we also have some players back to help us.”
“We’re used to it, so that will never be an excuse.”
Our squad this season is the biggest we have had since the manager took over in 2019, and he relishes the challenge of managing and working with such a large group of quality players.
“It’s a lot of fun and they make it fun because of the type of characters we have but also because of the way they live their profession and how much they want to earn with us.
“That’s the only way, it’s not about numbers, it’s about the quality of the numbers and the players we have, the same with the personnel.”
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