Arsenal press conference LIVE: Mikel Arteta on Saka fitness, Timber and Martinelli injuries

Mikel Arteta is set to face the press at the Sobha Realty Centre ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth.

Arteta was knocking on wood hoping for an injury-free international break this time around, but it doesn’t seem to have done the trick. Several players are doubts heading in to Saturday’s clash at the Vitality.

Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney are long-term absentee while Ben White and Jurrien Timber were unavailable for the clash with Southampton prior to the break.

Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey withdrew from international duty before even kicking a ball, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli picked up knocks on duty with England and Brazil respectively.

Even with so many players potentially missing the Gunners are going to need to find a way to win at Bournemouth this weekend with Liverpool and Manchester City setting a frenetic pace at the top of the Premier League.

Arteta on Tuchel

They’re gonna learn a lot. He’s one of the best coaches in the world in my opinion, the way his teams are set up. It’s very exciting times. I spoke to a few of the players and they had a smile on their faces straight away. That’s a good sign.

Areta on Odegaard

Arteta says he expects Odegaard to be back before the next international break.

Arteta on Tomiyasu

Yeah we don’t know how long he’ll be out for. It doesn’t look like hopefully a long period. But we’ll have to see when he comes back how he reacts to the load and the impact on the pitch. We really need him. The work that he put in to be back was amazing. Now he’s got another thing.

Mikel Arteta provides huge Arsenal injury update

Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of Bukayo Saka and seven other Arsenal players ahead of his side’s clash with Bournemouth.

Arteta on White, Timber and Zinchenko

They are quite close the three of them. Today we’ll have to push. We are struggling a bit with the numbers, especially in our right side.

Arteta on Odegaard

He’s not gonna be fit for this game. Next week will be a different story. He needs to clear some markers doing things with the ball in that latter stage of rehab. Next week will be crucial.

Arteta on Martinelli

Gabi landed yesterday afternoon. Yesterday he went outside to a bit to see how he’s feeling. We have to decide if we want to take a risk because I know he’ll say he is.

Arteta on Havertz

He had a few issues but we’ve been dealing with that. We have great communication with Germany. If he trains well today he has a good chance to be fit and available.

Arteta on Saka

It’s not a serious injury. He’s evolving well. He was probably good enough to play with the national team second game. We have some big tests today so we are hopeful.