Arsenal injury boost for Saliba, Calafiori and Nwaneri ahead of big Champions League tie. | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta finally had some positive injury news for Arsenal fans as he backed William Saliba to return for their Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The Arsenal manager was speaking the day before his side faced Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League and both Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri returned to training after their injury issues.

Arteta said: “Very positive news. We missed them for a few weeks and they returned today for training and they’ll be available for the game.”

Asked if Saliba, absent with a hamstring injury since their derby win over Tottenham, will host Manchester City on 2 February, the Spanish coach added: “Yes, we hope so. I think he is evolving well the last few days, but this game comes a little bit too early for him.”

Arteta also faced questions about long-term injury absentee Bukayo Saka, who has been seen walking without crutches, and whether he could be back before his predicted date in March.

“That’s not going to change,” Arteta added. “It’s within the process and the time that he had. That is gone now. He’s doing better day by day, but we have to respect the process.”

There was no sign of injured defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, however.

Max Dowman, the outrageously talented 15-year-old, was involved and Arteta was happy to discuss the academy prospect.

“He is so impressive for his age and it is unbelievable what he does in training,” Arteta commented. “We have a lot of belief we can develop him. There are a lot of restrictions about his age relating to what we can and cannot do, but he is taking very fast steps as he overcomes every hurdle we put in front of him.”

Arsenal will all but secure their place in the top eight of the new Champions League format with a win. That means they avoid a two-legged February play-off and could do on a warm weather trip. They went to Dubai last season with very successful results.

Arteta concluded: “Let’s do what we have to do first. We’re talking about the Champions League. If we manage to do that, we will have the ideas to make that decision.”