Arsenal receive injury boost ahead of key fixtures against Girona and Manchester City

Arsenal have received a major injury boost ahead of their Champions League clash against Girona and Premier League fixture against Manchester City

Arsenal have been handed a significant boost with the return of several key players as they aim to maintain their push in the Premier League title race and secure a strong Champions League seeding.

William Saliba and Myles Lewis-Skelly returned to action during Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Wolves, though Lewis-Skelly’s contribution was marred by a red card, leaving him facing a suspension unless the decision is overturned. Meanwhile, midfielders Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino, who missed the trip to Molineux, are back in training ahead of two crucial fixtures this week.

Ødegaard was sidelined against Wolves due to illness, with manager Mikel Arteta explaining: “Martin was ill this morning, and we had to send him back—he was nowhere near fit to play.”

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However, the Norwegian playmaker has recovered and rejoined training. Arteta now faces a decision on whether to risk Ødegaard in Wednesday’s Champions League group-stage finale against Girona or save him for Sunday’s pivotal Premier League clash against Manchester City.

Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard are back in training for Arsenal

Mikel Merino, who was absent from the Wolves match due to a knock picked up in training, has also resumed full training. Arteta downplayed concerns over the injury, stating: “Mikel got a knock and couldn’t make it yesterday for training.”

Merino had played the full 90 minutes in the previous draw against Aston Villa before being named as a substitute in the midweek Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb. His return bolsters Arsenal’s midfield options as they prepare for a defining week.

Aside from long-term absentees Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Ben White, the rest of the squad participated in today’s session, including Kai Havertz, who looked visibly fatigued during the Wolves match.

Arsenal, currently third in the Champions League group standings, have already secured advancement with 16 points from seven matches. However, Arteta will weigh squad rotation carefully as final group rankings determine seeding for the knockout stages.

The Gunners will fly to Spain this evening for their clash with Girona, with Arteta scheduled to address the media at 6PM. Following the midweek fixture, attention will quickly shift to Sunday’s showdown with Manchester City, a match that could have significant implications for the Premier League title race.