Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Jurrien Timber is fit for tomorrow’s clash with Sunderland, while a late decision will be made on Martin Odegaard’s involvement.
Both players sat out Thursday’s open training session, raising questions about their availability. However, it appears Timber’s workload was being managed, while Odegaard – who missed Tuesday’s Carabao Cup win over Chelsea – is said to be only “a matter of days” away from returning.
Whether to take Arteta’s timeline at face value remains open to debate. He used similar language when discussing a recent injury to William Saliba, which ultimately kept the defender sidelined longer than expected.
Bukayo Saka also remains unavailable after picking up a hip issue in the warm-up at Elland Road last weekend, though Arteta says the winger is “getting much better”.
Victory over Sunderland would give the Gunners the chance to open up a temporary nine-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, ahead of Pep Guardiola’s side travelling to Anfield to face reigning champions Liverpool on Sunday. It’s an opportunity Arsenal will be keen to take, having let similar chances slip in recent weeks.
“The statement is that we do what we have to do, and it’s going to be a really tough match,” said Arteta on Friday.
“I think they have been on an incredible run all season, and what they’ve been doing, so we know the complexity of the match.”
Sunderland are certainly not to be underestimated. They proved awkward opponents in November’s meeting at the Stadium of Light, grabbing a point at the death just as Arsenal appeared to have held on for a comeback win. Having taken 36 points from 24 games, the Black Cats continue to confound those who had pencilled them in for an immediate return to the Championship.
On what makes Régis Le Bris’ side so difficult to face, Arteta said: “They are extremely competitive, really well coached, they have very good individuals, very clear identity of what they want to do, where they want to take the game, and they are very good at it.
You can see the results they had against the top sides, so we know what to expect, but we need to deliver that tomorrow.”
Having delivered a timely pep talk to supporters in the aftermath of the 3–2 defeat to Manchester United, the negative energy that swirled around the Emirates that afternoon appears to have dissipated. Three wins across three competitions against Kairat, Leeds and Chelsea have steadied the ship, and with everyone back on board, Arteta is keen to see that momentum maintained.
“Tomorrow 2.30, [we want] the best atmosphere that we’ve seen, ready everybody for 3 o’clock to exploit, that’s what we want.
We start to get into a really crucial part of the season, and we know what every game means, and we need to get into that stadium with that energy. All of us.”
With Arsenal competing on four fronts, it is an exciting period for the club. Still, Arteta is keen to keep the focus firmly on the immediate task at hand.
Asked whether he has prioritised certain competitions, he replied: “Tomorrow, that’s the priority, and the only priority and the only focus that we have to put all our energy and commitment, and we will do that tomorrow and try to earn the right to win the game.”
As for the constant noise around the club – labelled bottlers one week, title favourites the next – Arteta says his players have little time to engage with the shifting narrative.
“We don’t have much time. We are so busy with games, training sessions, planning, we are a bit far from that, but it’s normal. And I think, it’s something very positive, whether it’s a positive feedback or not. I think we are here to learn and improve, and the fact that we are there [top of the table] is the most important thing at the end.”
And when asked whether belief in a potential title win is growing – one that would end Arsenal’s 22-year wait to finish top of English football – Arteta made clear that conviction has been embedded for some time.
“Before the pre-season started, we started to prepare everything with the intention to be where we are, and make sure the players are very convinced that we are going to achieve it, and then go day by day, that’s it.”
The context is clear, the opportunity obvious. All that remains is for Arsenal to deliver.
