When asked about the fitness and availability of full-backs Benjamin White and Jurrien Timber for their home Premier League fixture against Southampton on Saturday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said “We had to modify training for them. We have a decision to make. They are close, as is Tomiyasu – so good news”
This follows Ben White’s absence from the Arsenal team sheet since the 2-2 draw against Manchester City on the 22nd of September, whilst Jurrien Timber came off at half-time during Arsenal’s Champions League tie against Paris Saint Germain on Tuesday.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis fixture also comprises the return of Aaron Ramsdale to the Emirates Stadium for the first time since his £25m move to Southampton in the summer.
Arteta, when asked about England’s recently omitted goalkeeper, said “[Ramsdale’s] a player we loved a lot. He really put his fingerprints here at the club. It will be good to see him.”
Arsenal will be looking for a more comfortable result in the Premier League this weekend against Southampton than their previous fixture against Leicester – where the heroics of Foxes goalkeeper Mads Hermansen meant that Arsenal could only win the game through goals in the 95th and 99th minute.
Subedited by Ethan Cowler
