Arsenal Receives Injury Boost Ahead Of Premier League Clash With Everton

Arsenal center-back, Gabriel Magalhães, has returned to training and may be available for Saturday’s Premier League match against Everton at the Emirates Stadium.

Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that he has recovered from a hamstring injury.

The Brazilian, who was replaced in the second half of their 5-2 victory at West Ham United in November, has since missed a 2-0 home win over Manchester United, a 1-1 draw at Fulham and a 3-0 Champions League home victory over Monaco.

Updates on Other Injuries

Arsenal have also been without new signing Riccardo Calafiori after the 22-year-old Italy defender went off with an injury against West Ham.

“There is a possibility that one of them will be available. He trained today. It’s Gabriel,” Arteta told reporters.

On Calafiori, Arteta said, “We’re just respecting the times that the medical department has set. We monitor him every day.”

Arsenal, currently in third place and six points behind league leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, are facing challenges due to injuries to defenders Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Manager Mikel Arteta remains optimistic that the availability of his squad will improve soon.

“I never expect January (transfer window) to be super busy but some surprises always come,” Arteta added.

But the injuries have meant youngsters, including 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly, who plays as a midfielder or left back, have stepped up.

Lewis-Skelly played a key role in winger Bukayo Saka’s opener against Monaco on Wednesday.

“You always take a chance. It doesn’t matter the experience or age. He was surrounded by very experienced players. We believed he could help the team to win the game and he certainly did that,” Arteta said.

Arteta on his Former Club Everton 

Arteta, who played for Everton between 2005-2011, had kind words for his former club.

“The human quality and then how deep the feeling is towards the club. The club has been through very different phases in its history, but I love the way they get all together and they face the storms,” the Spaniard said.

Everton, currently sitting in 15th place, have enjoyed additional rest days after their Merseyside derby against Liverpool was postponed last weekend due to severe weather conditions.

“That’s the context. We are so used to playing every three days. The boys are really fired up and looking forward and understanding we’ll have to be good to beat them,” Arteta said.