The Gunners are back in action after hosting Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
Arteta is hopeful the whole squad came through that unscathed, but Sky reported on Friday that centre-back Gabriel missed the start of training.
“We’ve got one more day to prepare the match,” said Arteta. “We will see tomorrow if everyone is available. We have some but hopefully with another day we’ll be okay.”
After Sunday, Arsenal will travel to Munich on Wednesday for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
As a result, Arteta may make changes for the game against Aston Villa, with Oleksandr Zinchenko likely to come in at left-back for Jakub Kiwior.
Gabriel Jesus has been battling with a knee issue, but Arteta believes he can play through the pain barrier.
“In elite sport to play without pain, I think it is very difficult,” he said.
“When you play every three days especially, and the level that we play, if you ask any player they will say that: ‘Yeah, sometimes there is pain and you have to deal with that’.
“That is what makes you as well and Gabi has this toughness and this character that he always wants to overcome [it]. He has overcome some difficulties in terms of injuries and he is ready again.”
0 Comments