Mikel Arteta has provided a fitness update on his squad ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Kairat Almaty, with the manager confirming several key absences for the midweek fixture, Softfootball reports.
The Arsenal boss confirmed that defensive pair William Saliba and Jurrien Timber will not be available after missing training earlier in the week, with the club opting to manage their workload carefully ahead of the weekend.
The update was shared via the club’s official X handle following his media duties at the Sobha Realty Training Centre. Arteta said:
No, those are not (available). It’s a good opportunity now that we make a different kind of work with them to get them in the best possible condition for the weekend hopefully.
In addition to the defensive duo, Arsenal will also be without Mikel Merino and Declan Rice, both of whom are suspended after accumulating three yellow cards during the league phase of the competition.
Despite the absentees, Arsenal head into the game in high spirits. The Gunners are aiming to close out the Champions League league phase with a perfect record, having already won all seven of their matches so far. Their most recent victory — a 3-1 win away to Inter Milan at the San Siro — set a new club record of seven consecutive Champions League wins for the first time in Arsenal’s history.
Arteta’s side will now look to maintain that momentum and make it eight wins from eight as they continue their impressive European campaign.
