Mikel Arteta offers Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard injury updates after Arsenal blow

Arsenal were without skipper Martin Odegaard and prima winger Bukayo Saka for the weekend’s decision to Bournemouth and some Gunners are doubtful for the clash with Shakhtar Donetsk

Arsenal could beryllium without THREE cardinal stars for their Champions League showdown with Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Gunners big the Ukrainian broadside astatine the Emirates Stadium connected Tuesday for their latest radical game. But Mikel Arteta has a big of issues to see up of the clash.

Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with the superior genu wounded that helium sustained past month. Bukayo Saka is besides a uncertainty - helium pulled retired of planetary work and past missed the play decision to Bournemouth.

While Arteta is optimistic that they could beryllium backmost successful enactment sooner alternatively than later, the duo are inactive large doubts for Tuesday’s bout. Speaking successful his pre-match property conference, the Spaniard said: “They are closer. Both progressing well. Martin [Odegaard] not fit. With Bukayo let’s spot however helium is with the grooming league aboriginal on.”

Both Saka and Odegaard person been important to Arsenal’s awesome signifier nether Arteta implicit the past fewer seasons. The erstwhile has 3 goals and 7 assists to his sanction successful each competitions already this word - 1 of his goals coming successful the triumph against French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Odegaard’s contributions person been constricted this word having made conscionable 3 appearances but his performances implicit clip astatine Arsenal person been eye-catching. The duo mightiness not beryllium the lone stars that the Gunners are without against Shakhtar.

Takehiro Tomiyasu remains sidelined, portion Jurrien Timber is besides struggling with his ain fittingness issues. Arteta has besides admitted that the Dutchman could miss the game.

He added: “I deliberation it’s gonna beryllium close. We’ll person to spot however helium deals with grooming with the full radical due to the fact that helium hasn’t done it yet.”

What squad should Arsenal sanction vs Shakhtar Donetsk? Share your thoughts successful the comments below

One boost that Arsenal person been fixed nevertheless is that William Saliba is available. Despite being sent disconnected against Bournemouth, the Frenchman’s prohibition does not transportation implicit into European competitions.

Speaking astir the Gunners’ 3rd dismissal of the season, Arteta added: “Playing with 10 men determination is evidently an issue. When you analyse the 3 antithetic actions and the outcomes it’s precise different. We cannot proceed to play with 10 men. The task becomes astir impossible. We request to eradicate that.”

Saliba nevertheless volition miss Arsenal’s adjacent game. The Gunners big rubric rivals Liverpool astatine the Emirates Stadium connected Sunday afternoon.

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