Arsenal handed double injury boost for PSG clash despite Mikel Arteta denials
Arsenal host PSG on Wednesday night, with the Gunners being handed a double boost to their squad despite Mikel Arteta's attempts to keep a lid on his side's injury news
by Jacob Leeks · The MirrorArsenal have been boosted by the return of Mikel Merino to training, with Ricciardo Calafiori also shaking off fears of an injury.
The Gunners host PSG on Tuesday night in their second Champions League game of the season. Calafiori appeared to injure himself celebrating one of his team-mate's goals in Saturday's win over Leicester.
Merino was hurt just before the start of the season in a freak accident in training and is yet to make his debut. But he now appears to be nearing a return to full fitness having begun light training last week.
Arteta revealed before the Leicester win that Merino is pushing to make his debut as soon as possible. The Spaniard certainly looks to be well on his way to doing just that.
Merino was spotted taking part in Arsenal's final training session before their clash with PSG. Alongside him was Calafiori, who also looks to have shaken off the injury concern he ended Saturday with.
The duo's appearance in training came after boss Arteta denied that he had any news of potential injury returns. He did admit though that Calafiori's fitness was in doubt heading into this weekend.
"No news, we have a training session this afternoon and we have to review a few players, but overall, especially [anyone] returning, there’s nothing to give back," Arteta said when asked for an update on injuries.
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"Those [ Ben White and Calafiori] are the two players that are in contention and we have to review today. We didn’t do any training sessions yesterday, [Riccardo] was a bit emotional after the game, so let's see how he is today."
Calafiori's absence would have been a bitter blow to the Gunners, with the fullback having made an excellent start to the season. Arteta was keen to sing the Italian's praises following his impressive first few months at the Emirates.
"How willing he is. The moment I spoke with him on the phone for the first time, he wanted to come here. He understood what we wanted straight away and he felt that he was going to be a perfect fit here and he was," Arteta added.
"He landed with the biggest smile on his face. He’s got this energy and aura around him. He’s very likeable and he’s a fighter, a player that wanted to play in the way we want to play and he’d do anything for the team.
"When you have those qualities, a lot would have to go wrong for you not to succeed. With all the players, we try to give them and their families the best possible environment to fill in the best way.
"I think he appreciates the effort that the club and staff have made since his arrival to make his life as good as possible and I think he’s enjoying it."
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