Arsenal will welcome back Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori from injury against Newcastle in a major boost to their Premier League title hopes.
After suffering a huge blow in defeat to leaders Man City last weekend, Pep Guardiola’s side took top spot midweek with victory over Burnley.
But the Gunners can reclaim first with a result against Newcastle this weekend, while City take on Southampton in the FA Cup, and Mikel Arteta has confirmed that both Saka and Calafiori will be options.
Saka has been nursing an Achilles problem after withdrawing from the England squad last month, while the Italian picked up a knock before the Bournemouth clash earlier this month.
“Bukayo [Saka] is probably going to be in the squad, so good news,” Arteta said. “Riccardo [Calafiori] is in the squad.”
“He [Saka] was in great spirits today in the sun; you could see that today.”
Arsenal will still be without Jurrien Timber, with the Dutch defender dealing with an ankle injury since facing Everton last month.
Martin Zubimendi has attracted criticism, including Jamie Carragher singling him out for a mistake against Man City, labelling it “not good enough,” but Arteta has leaped to the defence of his compatriot.
“He’s very good,” revealed the Gunners boss. “To play 50 games for Arsenal in his first season for Arsenal, you have to do things in an exceptional way.”
William Saliba, meanwhile, has underlined the need to stay “calm” in the run-in, with only goal difference separating them from leaders Man City.
“I think we need to be calm. We need to die on the pitch as well, because it’s now,” Saliba said. “Now we have to go, and we need everyone: the supporters, the team, the staff, everyone, because we have to do it now. After that, it’s too late.
“When the season is finished, it’s too late; you have to start the next season. It’s now. You have to give everything and die on the pitch.
“Last game we wanted to win, and we didn’t. But it’s not finished. Now we know what we have coming, and we know what we have to do if we want to win the league. We have to start on Saturday.
“We have good pressure with us because when you play football, you want to play these kinds of games. We’re ready for that.”
