Arsenal Boss Eases Fears Over Key Duo After Madrid Scare; Calafiori & Havertz Making Progress in Recoveries
Mikel Arteta has handed Arsenal fans a major boost ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brentford, confirming that Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have shaken off knocks picked up in their emphatic 3-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid.
Key Duo Ready for Brentford Test
Supporters held their breath when both players were substituted during Tuesday’s victory, with one eye on next week’s decisive second leg. But Arteta quickly dismissed any concerns, stating:
“With Dec and Bukayo, they are both fit. It was just a matter of two kicks—they’ve recovered well and are available for tomorrow.”
The news comes as a relief for the Gunners, who remain 11 points behind Liverpool in the title race with just seven games left. While Arteta admitted catching the Reds is “not in our hands,” he insisted his side will keep fighting:
“There’s always a chance. All we can do is win our matches, be better than the opposition, and see what happens.”
Calafiori & Havertz Nearing Returns
In further encouraging updates, Riccardo Calafiori is making strong progress in his recovery from a knee injury, though Arteta cautioned that a precise return date remains unclear.
“He’s in a good place,” the manager said. “But we need to see how he reacts as his rehab intensifies.”
There’s also hope for Kai Havertz, who has been sidelined since February with a hamstring issue. The German is “desperate to return” and could feature again this season, with Arteta praising the club’s medical team for their work.
“Once you reach the final stages of rehab, you get a clearer picture,” he added. “We’ll wait and see, but the desire is there.”
With a packed schedule ahead, Arsenal’s squad depth is set to be tested—but for now, the focus is on Brentford, and the Gunners will be glad to have two of their stars ready to go.
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