The English international had suffered that injury during the emphatic win over Bournemouth on Saturday.
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Arsenal will be hoping to maintain their good start to the new season when they travel to France for an intriguing European battle. In their second match of this season’s Champions League campaign, the Gunners will face Lens on Tuesday night. It will not be an easy game against last season’s Ligue 1 runners-up. Even though Lens are going through a difficult spell at this moment in time, the contest will not be easy to face them in their own backyard.
For Arsenal though, the season has been an extremely positive one so far after making a good start in domestic and European competitions. They are entering this contest on the back of beating Bournemouth 4-0 away from home in the Premier League. Besides, the Gunners had won their Champions League opener 4-0 against PSV Eindhoven. Hence, they would be keen to make it two from two in this competition.
However, Mikel Arteta is not taking Lens for granted. “I was really impressed with what they did last year. It’s incredible to finish in that position, and the way they did it, the form they had at home. This season they have been really unlucky with some results. I don’t know how they don’t have more points, so we expect a huge battle tomorrow. We are more than aware of it. They are a really good side and we have a huge test ahead of us tomorrow,” he was quoted as saying on Arsenal.com ahead of this contest.
The Arsenal manager also gave a positive update on midfielder Thomas Partey, who has returned from an injury. “He’s been progressing really well in the last two weeks, and he managed to train the last two or three days with the team. That’s great news for us obviously. He’s progressing and has been very good in the past week. He is a big player and we know what he brings to the team,” he elaborated.
However, the main concern among Arsenal supporters was about the injury suffered by their in-form winger Bukayo Saka. The English international had suffered that injury during the emphatic win over Bournemouth on Saturday. “He’s fine, he’s much better. Obviously he took a big knock but he’s recovered well and he trained today. It’s great if he’s available and we will make that call tomorrow,” Arteta confirmed.
The manager also had big praise reserved for French defender William Saliba ahead of this encounter. “When you look how he’s developing, his role in the team, the level and consistency he’s shown in the last year or so, it’s remarkable. I don’t think you will find a lot of centre backs doing what he’s doing,” he explained.
Arteta added: “Credit to the players around him as well, the way they are guiding him, protecting him, inspiring him and then with the qualities he has, the presence, the physicality and composure to be a leader in the back line for a big club like us, it’s a huge compliment.”
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