Arsenal have received a huge boast ahead of their Europa clash, with the likes of Aubameyang, Lacazette, and Tierney in contention to play.
Arsenal trio Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Kieran Tierney are all “in contention” to face Villarreal.
Tierney has been recovering from knee procedures in recent weeks while Lacazette and Aubameyang have been dealing with a hamstring problem and malaria respectively.
Elswhere, Martin Odegaard made his return from an ankle problem at the weekend with a cameo off the bench against Everton. He is also expected to be in contention to start.
Tierney was expected to be out until the end of the season but it appears the left-back is way ahead of schedule.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg, Mikel Arteta confirmed a triple fitness boost for his squad.
“They are all in contention,” he said. “All of them, including Laca, Auba and Kieran.”
“[Kieran] didn’t need the surgery that at the beginning we were afraid of. Then he has been working like a beast every day. I don’t know if he’s going to make it tomorrow but he certainly wants to be as close as possible.”
The fitness update will come as a huge boost for Arteta ahead of the club’s biggest season to date, though Arteta is wary of risking further injury.
“We do need them because we know that we have some players that are in contention and they are the ones that can make the difference in a big tie like this,” he continued.
“But the word risk, I don’t like it. I want to put players on the pitch that can perform and feel secure they can perform. If it is a risk or we are going to take a gamble, I don’t think it is the right game to do it.”
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