Arteta Updates on Saliba, Hincapie, and Trossard at Press Conference
Mikel Arteta provided important updates regarding the fitness of key players as Arsenal prepares for their Carabao Cup semi-final against Chelsea. The match is scheduled for January 14, and injuries have raised concerns within the squad.
Injury Updates on Key Players
During a press conference at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, Arteta addressed the injuries affecting defenders Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori. Both players missed the recent FA Cup victory over Portsmouth.
Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori
- Arteta confirmed that Hincapie is still unavailable for selection.
- Calafiori is also ruled out, with Hincapie’s recovery timeline unclear.
- Calafiori is dealing with a muscle injury and is making progress but has an estimated recovery time of a few weeks.
William Saliba and Leandro Trossard
Saliba and Trossard are both considered doubts for the upcoming fixture after missing the prior match. Their fitness will be assessed closer to the game.
Max Dowman and Cristhian Mosquera
Arteta also updated the media on Max Dowman and Cristhian Mosquera, who are recovering from long-term injuries. Both players share similar injury profiles and are expected to be sidelined for a few more weeks.
Positive News on Kai Havertz
On a brighter note, former Chelsea striker Kai Havertz is likely to be available after making a successful return against Portsmouth. Arteta expressed his relief, stating, “Obviously, we missed him a lot.”
The coach praised Havertz’s adaptability and conditioning, emphasizing his connection with teammates. Havertz had a productive stint on the field, playing around 20-25 minutes and training well ahead of the crucial fixture against Chelsea.
As Arsenal strategizes for their semi-final encounter, the focus remains on managing player fitness while navigating through the injury challenges. The upcoming match will be a test for Arteta’s squad depth.
