Mikel Arteta revealed Arsenal could be significantly strengthened in defence for Saturday’s Premier League match at home to Southampton.
The Arsenal boss confirmed that Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are all pushing to feature against the Saints, in what is a major boost for the Arsenal boss.
Timber was forced off at half-time in the Champions League win over PSG in midweek, while Ben White has been out since playing for 45 minutes in the dramatic draw with Manchester City. Tomiyasu, meanwhile, has not yet played this season.
“We had to modify training for them [Timber and White],” Arteta said at a press conference on Friday.
“We have a decision to make. They are close, as is Tomiyasu, so good news.”
Asked for an update on captain Martin Odegaard, who has been out for a month with an ankle injury, Arteta added: “Martin, it is very difficult. He is working so hard and pushing so it is difficult to give a timeline."
The Arsenal boss also suggested that Oleksandr Zinchenko could be available again after the international break, as he continues to battle a calf injury.
The Gunners will be close to full-strength again in defence if Timber, White and Tomiyasu are all passed to fit and make the squad against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium.
Timber is capable of playing across the back-line, while White and Tomiyasu also bring plenty of versatility for Arteta to utilise.
The Spaniard has been forced to improvise recently, with Riccardo Calafiori playing the second-half against PSG as a right-back, as Jakub Kiwior filled in on the left.
