Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that William Saliba’s recovery from a hamstring injury is “evolving”.
However, the French defender will remain sidelined for Wednesday night’s UEFA Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are on the verge of securing a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals, needing a win against the Croatian side to virtually guarantee a top-eight finish.
However, they may still require a point in their final group game against Girona next week, depending on other results.
Saliba, a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defence, is also expected to miss the Premier League fixture this weekend against relegation-threatened Wolves.
Despite his absence, Arteta remains optimistic about the team’s depth and options.
Arteta confirmed that the squad will be boosted by the return of Riccardo Calafiori and academy prospect Ethan Nwaneri, both of whom have recovered from injuries.
Calafiori, primarily a left-back since joining Arsenal last summer, could feature as a centre-back if deemed fit enough.
Arteta expressed confidence in the 21-year-old’s ability to transition to the role, suggesting he could develop into a long-term solution in the heart of the defence.
The Gunners will be looking to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions as they navigate a critical stage of the season.
Asked to provide a fitness update in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Arteta said: “Calafiori and Nwaneri are back, very positive news.
“They will be available for the game.
“Saliba, he is evolving really well. The last few days he was feeling much better already but this game comes a little bit too early for him.”
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