Catch all the latest Arsenal news, including injury updates on three players, and Aaron Ramsdale’s shock admission ahead of his Emirates return......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Mikel Arteta issues positive update on three Arsenal stars
Arsenal could have been heading for an injury crisis with three right-backs facing injury issues before their clash with Southampton, but Mikel Arteta has revealed a positive update on Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
“We had to modify training for them [Timber and White], We have a decision to make this afternoon, yes or no. They are close, as is Tomiyasu, so good news,” he stated in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Timber was withdrawn at half-time against Paris Saint-Germain, whilst White has missed the last three games, and Tomiyasu has been absent for the entire campaign so far.
It now appears that at least one of the three right-backs will be available to start against Southampton, but it remains unclear who that will be.
Aaron Ramsdale reveals anger at David Raya situation at Arsenal
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is set to return to Arsenal for the first time since he departed in the summer, with his struggling Southampton side travelling to the Emirates Stadium.
Ramsdale has revealed that whilst he holds no hard feelings to Arsenal, the hardest part of his situation after being dropped for David Raya, was dealing with the media focus on him when he was on the bench.
“It used to do my head in coming off the pitch and my wife would say: ‘You were on the TV five times again today,’” Ramsdale told the BBC.
“Why ever someone would pan to me when someone makes a save or a goal goes in? I do think the story was bigger than what it needs to be. I do think it put pressure on David at times as well.”
Mikel Arteta praises Ramsdale ahead of Arsenal return
Arteta has praised his former goalkeeper ahead of his return to the Emirates, highlighting the positive energy he injected into the club when he first arrived in 2021.
“I called him straight away when I got the news [of his transfer] and he was really happy,” Arteta stated in his pre-match press conference.
“He is a player that we loved a lot, very charismatic and he really put his fingerprints here on the club with the way that he was. It’ll be very good to see him.”