Arteta confirms Arsenal without 2 injured players for West Ham

Merino is closing in on a return to playing but there are still doubts over what that means. He is hoping to return this month, although reporting in Spain still places a question mark over his fitness for the World Cup, so it remains very much a wait-and-see situation.

Timber has missed the last 11 games with a groin issue of his own. Speaking at the end of April, Arteta told reporters, “We don’t know yet [when he will be back]. He’s doing some stuff on the pitch at the moment, but we need to get the gears up and be able to do more things before he can compete with us.” That has been interpreted by some journalists as his season being at risk, although that is hardly a major leap given how few games remain.

Asked about both players, Arteta told reporters, “No chance for them this weekend.”

He also added there were “No [fresh concerns], nothing to add.”

West Ham, meanwhile, have only one confirmed absentee as they fight to avoid relegation.

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski has been sidelined with a back injury since September and there is still no clear return date.

Now 41, he appears increasingly unlikely to play again, which would bring a sad end to a long career.