Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are in contention to face Brentford on Saturday, after the pair were forced off against Real Madrid in midweek.
Rice scored two stunning free-kicks in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over the Champions League holders on Tuesday night but had to be replaced later in the second-half, with Arteta saying after the match that the midfielder had “an issue with the foot”.
Saka made his first start since December and limped off with 15 minutes remaining after taking a knock in a tackle, celebrating on the touchline as Mikel Merino scored the Gunners’ third while Saka was still making his way back to the dugout.
Asked for the latest on the pair at his press conference on Friday, Arteta provided a positive update.
The Arsenal boss said: "Declan and Bukayo are both fit. It was a matter of kicks but they are available tomorrow."
The Gunners are at home to Brentford on Saturday evening before they then turn their attention back to the Champions League and a second leg in Madrid on Wednesday.
However, while Arsenal are 11 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League with seven matches to go, the Arsenal boss played down the suggestion there could be significant rotation against Brentford to rest his key starts for the trip to Spain.
“This is our context - play every three days and playing in different competitions on the biggest stages,” Arteta said.
“Playing in Europe then coming back and facing a different challenge in the Premier League.
"If you want to become a team that has the capacity to win in any of those then you have to do it every three days, regardless of the scenario."
