2 back, 5 out: Arsenal injury updates for Athletic Club clash

Arsenal have received a double injury boost ahead of the start of their Champions League campaign, with Christian Norgaard and William Saliba in training.

Arsenal kick off their Champions League campaign against Athletic Club on Tuesday night, and the Gunners held an open training session in front of the media on Monday as they prepared for the clash.

That allowed journalists in attendance to confirm that William Saliba and Christian Norgaard were both in training, following recent injury absences for the pair.

The bad news was that Martin Odegaard wasn’t involved, suggesting he isn’t about to immediately bounce back from his shoulder injury. Other players that remain absent include Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus. Ben White was also absent with what is being described as a ‘minor issue’.

In other training updates, Max Dowman was involved ahead of his likely call-up for the game. Though the return of Saliba and Norgaard will increase competition for squad spaces, there are extra spots available in the Champions League, so Dowman should remain involved.

Arsenal always use three goalkeepers in the Champions League squads, and it looks like Tommy Setford will be the third called up on Tuesday. Setford joined the squad for the pre-match warm-up against Nottingham Forest, and he was also involved in training on Monday.

Jack Porter joined training as the fourth-choice goalkeeper, taking up the role in Alexei Rojas’ absence. Rojas has been called up for the Colombia u20s for the u20 World Cup, kicking off next week.

It’s unlikely Porter would also be involved in the Champions League matchday squad, but he may travel to help out in warm-ups or in case of an emergency withdrawal.

Finally, Demiane Agustien was involved in training, but the summer signing from Derby County is unable to feature for Arsenal in the Champions League.

Agustien hasn’t been named in Arsenal’s senior squad, and he can’t be named on the u21 list due to having been at the club for less than two years. Even so, the experience of training with the team ahead of a Champions League game will be a positive one.