Mikel Arteta was typically coy as he was asked about the fitness of key Arsenal stars ahead of Wednesday night’s huge match against Manchester United.
Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey were left out of the Arsenal squad for their trip to West Ham on Saturday, which the Gunners won 5-2.
Partey missed out due to a muscle issue, while Merino was understood to have been sidelined by a knee problem.
Gabriel started that game and scored the opening goal, but he was forced off at half-time due to an issue that had also led to him being substituted before the end of Arsenal’s 5-1 win at Sporting last Tuesday.
The Brazilian has been one of Arsenal’s best performers this season and hinted on social media he would be fit for the with Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.
Writing after the win at West Ham, the defender signed off his post with the message: “See you on Wednesday!”
Asked to provided an update on his squad during his press conference on Tuesday, Arteta said: “We’re gonna have a meeting this afternoon. We have done a training session.
“We monitored and kept some players away from certain activities. After that meeting I will decide which ones are fit and available and who will start. They all want to play.”
Merino and Partey’s absences on Saturday meant Jorginho was handed a rare start and the Italian performed well.
Arsenal, however, would be boosted by the return of Merino and Partey as it would give them more depth in midfield - especially as Myles Lewis-Skelly also missed the trip to West Ham.
