Arsenal full squad revealed for Wolves as Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber calls made

5 hours ago 27

Arsenal continue to be plagued by injuries with Mikel Arteta having several big team selection decisions to make for the Premier League clash against Wolves

Mikel Arteta faces late decisions on Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice for Arsenal's Premier League clash against Wolves. The duo were both absent for Wednesday's Champions League win over Club Brugge and have been confirmed as doubts for the weekend.

"It was a knock that he picked up and he wasn't feeling comfortable," Arteta said on Timber. "So yeah, I think it's something, a matter of days. But whether it's tomorrow or not, we'll see."

On Rice, the Gunners boss said: Let's see how he is today [Friday], when he was ill. An illness, normally, in a few days gets resolved. But we have to wait and see how far he can push."

There is no doubt surrounding Riccardo Calafiori though, with the Italian defender suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card of the Premier League season last weekend.

Leandro Trossard and William Saliba meanwhile, have both been dealing with minor issues that have seemingly become more of a problem than initially expected. The latter has missed Arsenal's last four games despite Arteta hoping he would be able to return in "a matter of days".

He said on Friday: "We have to wait and see. Yesterday we didn't train, he hasn't trained with us yet. So we have an extra day, which means it's afternoon. Let's see if he can be available or not.

"Obviously, if you ask me the Everton game [he would be available], if I think he will be fit for tomorrow, I don't know."

Trossard meanwhile, returned to the fold against Aston Villa but was withdrawn before the end with it later revealed he had suffered a setback.

Arteta said: "Again, another one that is a matter of days. Sounds boring but it's the reality so we don't know. And if he's available or not."

Wolves also have some absences to contend with as Marshall Munetsi is among those unavailable, though Joao Gomes can be selected again after serving a suspension.

A fresh injury blow did emerge in the 4-1 defeat against Manchester United however, when Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, who had scored earlier in the game, limped off.

Rob Edwards has since revealed how long he is expected to miss, with his absence starting for the trip to Arsenal on Saturday evening. He said: "He picked up a hamstring injury, so we are looking at six or more weeks.”

Despite that blow, Arsenal look set to have far more players absent with Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz still out of action.

With Trossard missing two games before making a brief comeback and Saliba last playing in late November, it seems hard to imagine that either will feature against Wolves if only having their first training session of the week on Friday.

As for Timber and Rice, it is more than likely both will be included and in the starting XI given the length of their absences and importance to Arteta. A free midweek after the visit of Wolves also increases the likelihood of involvement.

Calafiori's suspension and the injury to Max Dowman will likely see others from the academy involved.