Quantcast
Home   >   News   >   Team news: Arsenal confirm double injury boost but duo face late fitness tests

Team news: Arsenal confirm double injury boost but duo face late fitness tests

By on February 7, 2019

Arsenal have offered a full team news update on Arsenal.com ahead of Saturday’s trip to Huddersfield Town and Unai Emery has been handed a double boost for the game.

Shkodran Mustafi limped off during the latter stages of the second half during our defeat to Manchester City last weekend but the German centre-back is already back in full training so is available to face the Terriers this weekend.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan made his comeback with a 45 minute run out with the Under-23s earlier this week after recovering from a fractured foot. In a double boost, the Armenian is back in full training and is expected to return to the first team squad on Saturday.

However, doubts remain over Granit Xhaka and Ainsley Maitland-Niles as they’ll be assessed before their availability for the trip to the John Smiths’ Stadium is determined.

Xhaka missed the defeat at City with a groin injury while Maitland-Niles has missed the last two games with a knee problem and it remains to be seen whether either will return to the squad this weekend.

Sokratis was snapped back in light training on Wednesday but the Greek international is still not expected to resume full training until later this month as he continues to overcome an ankle injury that he picked up last month.

It means Sokratis will remain on the sidelines along with long-term absentees Hector Bellerin, Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding – who’ll all miss the rest of the season.

The update on Arsenal.com said:

Shkodran Mustafi
In full training.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan
In full training.

Granit Xhaka
Left groin. Being assessed ahead of Huddersfield Town (a).

Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Right knee. Being assessed ahead of Huddersfield Town (a).

Sokratis
Left ankle. Expected to return to full training by the end of February.

Hector Bellerin
Left knee. Recovering after surgery.

Rob Holding
Left knee. Recovering after surgery.

Danny Welbeck
Right ankle. Recovering after surgery.

I’m not his biggest fan but it’s still good news that Mustafi is available again as with Sokratis, Bellerin and Holding out, we are short in defence so he’ll give Emery another option at the back on Saturday.