March 07, (THEWILL)- Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, provided an encouraging update on the fitness of key forwards, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, ahead of Saturday’s English Premier League clash with Brentford. The young duo were substituted during Monday’s 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United, with Martinelli suffering a cut and Saka feeling unwell, but Arteta is optimistic they will be available for selection.
“We’re pretty positive that hopefully they can be part of that. But we’ll have to see,” Arteta told reporters on Thursday. Arsenal currently sit third in the EPL table with 61 points, two points adrift of leaders Liverpool and one behind Manchester City ahead of their blockbuster meeting on Sunday.
While the title race intensifies, Arteta insists Arsenal’s focus must remain solely on their own performances. “We just have to focus on our game, try to win and then on Sunday it’s a game that should be beautiful to watch for any supporter,” he stated. The Spaniard plans to savour the highly-anticipated showdown between Liverpool and Manchester City alongside his children.
Despite their lofty position, Arteta is taking nothing for granted against Brentford, who pushed Arsenal in their reverse fixture before Kai Havertz’s late winner. “We know the demands we have and what Brentford will ask of us to win the game… we always suffer against Brentford,” Arteta conceded.
The Gunners head into the weekend fixture in red-hot form, having won their last seven EPL matches in record free-scoring form.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
