Arsenal will be boosted by the return of Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri for their Champions League clash against Dynamo Zagreb on Wednesday. The Gunners are looking to secure a top-eight finish in the Champions League, and a win against the Croatian side would put them in a strong position to achieve that goal.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has received a boost ahead of their Champions League clash against Dynamo Zagreb on Wednesday, with both Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri declared fit to play. Calafiori, the Italian defender, missed Arsenal 's last three games due to a muscle issue, while 17-year-old English forward Nwaneri has been sidelined for the past four matches.
Their return provides much-needed relief to Arteta's defensive options, especially considering the absence of William Saliba, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. A victory against Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium will significantly strengthen Arsenal's position in the Champions League table, where they currently sit third with 13 points. This win would put them in a strong contention for a top-eight finish, securing direct qualification to the last 16. However, failing to beat Zagreb and then Girona away next week could see the Gunners enter the play-off round in February.While Saliba won't be available for Wednesday's match, Arteta expects him to be back in time for the Premier League encounter against Manchester City on February 2nd. 'He's evolving really well. The last few days he was feeling much better already but this game comes a little bit too early for him,' Arteta stated. When questioned about the possibility of Declan Rice filling in for Saliba in central defence, Arteta responded affirmatively, highlighting Rice's versatility and ability to adapt to various positions.Arteta also expressed satisfaction with Arsenal's attacking options, despite Gabriel Jesus' season-ending ACL injury, which sparked speculation about a potential striker signing during the January transfer window. On Bukayo Saka, who underwent surgery for a thigh injury last month and could be out until March, Arteta emphasized the need to respect the healing process, stating that while Saka is feeling better each day, his return is not imminent. In addition to updates on the team's personnel, the text also provides insights into Arsenal's past performances against Dinamo Zagreb, highlighting their dominance in previous encounters. It also delves into statistical trends and individual player performances, offering a comprehensive analysis of the upcoming match
Arsenal Dynamo Zagreb Champions League Injuries Mikel Arteta Riccardo Calafiori Ethan Nwaneri William Saliba Bukayo Saka
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