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Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal received a double injury boost ahead of their match against Burnley. However, defender Riccardo Calafiori is still a fitness concern for the game.
Mikel Arteta provides double Arsenal injury boost ahead of Burnley clash
Arsenal head into Monday nightâs Premier League meeting with Burnley waiting anxiously on Riccardo Calafiori, with Mikel Arteta admitting the defender remains a doubt.
Calafiori was withdrawn at half-time during Arsenalâs 1-0 win over West Ham, after picking up a knock. There was hope the issue may be minor, particularly after the Italian was seen sprinting from the dugout to celebrate Leandro Trossardâs decisive goal.
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Arteta, however, offered caution rather than certainty.
âWe donât know whether heâs going to be available or not.
âWe still have days ahead. Hopefully itâs nothing serious but we will have to wait and see how he reacts.â
Arsenal has received a double injury boost, but Riccardo Calafiori remains a fitness doubt ahead of the Burnley clash.
Riccardo Calafiori is currently a doubt for the match against Burnley due to fitness concerns.
Mikel Arteta is waiting on the fitness status of defender Riccardo Calafiori ahead of the Burnley game.
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For Arsenal, the timing is awkward. Ben White is already unavailable after suffering a season-ending knee injury against West Ham, leaving Arteta short of natural options at right-back.
That makes Calafioriâs condition particularly important, with Arsenal still chasing major prizes and needing defensive stability at a decisive stage of the campaign.
Jurrien Timber has not played since Arsenalâs 2-0 win over Everton two months ago because of a groin problem, but Arteta confirmed there has been progress.
âHe wanted to be very close to the team [against West Ham]. Heâs progressed a little bit in the last few days. Heâs feeling better.
âWeâre going to try to get him fit and available as quick as possible but letâs see. Obviously heâs been out now for a while unfortunately. Heâs such an important player for us, we all know that.
âHeâs doing everything that he possibly can to help the team in any capacity. We know his leadership, his quality and how much the team needs him. Heâs trying everything he can.â
Timberâs presence at London Stadium, watching from the pitch as team-mates warmed up, spoke of a player still emotionally connected to Arsenalâs push.
Arteta was also asked whether Timber could return before the end of the Premier League season or for the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30.
âThere is a chance but how big that chance is I cannot tell you, being completely honest,â the Spaniard responded.
âHeâs going to try to do everything he can to convert that chance as high as possible in the shortest possible period. Thatâs the challenge ahead.â
For Arsenal and Arteta, patience now matters as much as ambition.