Mikel Arteta says Bukayo Saka has been “working so hard” to be fit for Saturday’s derby with Chelsea and wants to play.
Saka injured his hamstring earlier this month when Arsenal travelled to Lens in the Champions League.
The winger duly missed Arsenal’s win over Manchester City on October 8 and both of England’s games during the recent international break.
Sala has been working at the Gunners’ training base at London Colney during that time and hopes to play against Chelsea this weekend.
“He has been working so hard to be fit for this game and let’s see where he is at today,” Arteta said on Friday morning.
“He had a couple of days off that he needed as well, but the rest [of the international break] has not been rest for him because he needed to do the treatment and train, and get ready to be available against Chelsea.
“I’m sure he wants to play. I don’t see any player there that doesn’t want to be in the starting XI.”
Arsenal can go top of the Premier League on Saturday with a win as current leaders Tottenham are not in action until Monday night.
Leandro Trossard (hamstring) and William Saliba (toe) stayed at Arsenal during the international break instead of linking up with their countries, and they will be assessed on Friday.
The full Arsenal squad are training for the first time today and there is optimism they, along with Saka, will be involved at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
