Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta handed double fitness boost…

Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta handed double fitness boost as Gunners already have next Bukayo Saka

Your morning Arsenal digest on Sunday, March 19.

Arsenal have already found their next Bukayo Saka

Arsenal may have already found their next Bukayo Saka in the form of Amario Cozier-Duberry.

Saka is the best youngster Arsenal's Hale End Academy has produced for many years, with the winger currently at the forefront of the Gunners' title charge. At just 21-years-old, Saka is already closing in on 200 appearances for his boyhood side, establishing himself as a key player ever since his debut in 2018.

Saka has netted 10 goals and provided nine assists so far this season, and is now also a regular member of Gareth Southgate's England setup. That said, Saka very much remains the only player in Mikel Arteta's squad who can perform to such a high level at right-wing, and as such, Arsenal may seek to find cover for him in the summer.

Read on here.

Mikel Arteta handed double title race fitness boost

Arsenal have been handed a fitness boost ahead of today's match against Crystal Palace with Leandro Trossard and Oleksandr Zinchenko both expected to be fit.

The Gunners can extend their advantage at the top of the Premier League to eight points with a win against a Palace side who won't have Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira on the touchline. Vieira was relieved of his duties as Palace boss on Friday following their 1-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion earlier in the week, which left them just three points clear of the relegation zone.

Mikel Arteta has a number of fitness concerns heading into the clash at the Emirates following Thursday night's Europa League exit to Sporting CP, which saw them go all the way to extra time and penalties. Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba both limped off injured in the first half, with the former leaving the ground on crutches, and the latter set to be assessed.

Read on here.

Arsenal high-earner expected to ask for exit

Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna is expecting Kieran Tierney to leave the club this summer due to his lack of game time.

After establishing himself as a regular since his move from Celtic in 2019, Tierney has become much more of a bit-part player this term following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City. Zinchenko was immediately elevated to first choice and has quickly become a key figure in Mikel Arteta's side due to his ability to play in central areas.

With Tierney almost certainly keen to see an improvement in game time, Champions League chasers Newcastle United are among the sides reportedly keen on a summer move. Speaking to The Games Cabin, Sagna doesn't ever expect Tierney to be able to dislodge Zinchenko as Arsenal's first choice left-back and is therefore believes he will ask to ask to leave the Gunners this summer.

“He obviously hasn’t been doing amazing and this season the club have brought in Oleksandr Zinchenko, who’s become a key player in the team and in that left-back position," said Sagna.