The Brazilian limped off with what looked like a knee issue during last weekend’s draw with Liverpool but, speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Arteta had some good news on the defender.
“We have a training session today. If he can complete that he will be available, he hasn’t had any training sessions yet but if he is able to do that today he will be available for the squad.”
William Saliba returned from suspension to start against Preston North End in midweek, already boosting the backline, but there will be no return for Riccardo Calafiori or Martin Odegaard at St James’ Park, while Ben White is a doubt.
“Riccy and Martin are out, definitely.
“With Ben we don’t know yet, he hasn’t trained yet, he couldn’t train, he couldn’t get involved, so let’s wait and see if he’s available.”
Jurrien Timber started in midweek and will likely play again at Newcastle, with Thomas Partey, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Myles Lewis-Skelly the candidates to complete the backline if Gabriel or White cannot prove their fitness in time.
Arteta also played down the chances of Takehiro Tomiyasu returning before the upcoming Interlull, and was coy about Odegaard’s chances of making the trip to Milan next week.
“Now is the stage when he’s going to start to do certain work with us, and just see how he deals with pain,” he said.
“Is his movement natural enough? Is he physically now at the level that requires him to compete? With the work and the hours that he’s put in, I would be surprised if the moment that he starts training with us you don’t say, he looks ready.
“So, hopefully soon.”
0 Comments