Arsenal will lock horns with Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of UEFA Champions League Round of 16 at BayArena, Leverkusen. This is going to be a tricky clash for the Gunners as this is going to be an away fixture.
Good news for Arsenal
Ahead of the UCL clash, Arsenal have received some good news as William Saliba, Leandro Trossard, and Riccardo Calafiori made a return in a training session and marked their availability for selection for the game against Leverkusen.
As per a report from The Standard, all three players were present in training after Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta expressed his uncertainty over their availability in the squad this week against Leverkusen.
Interestingly, Trossard Calafiori played for Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round clash against Mansfield, but sustained injuries.
After the FA Cup clash, Mikel Arteta revealed that both the players had some niggles and were not having comfort. Noting the conditions of the game, he substituted them.
"Both of them, they had little niggles, they weren't comfortable to continue. And we knew that this could be a possibility, especially in the conditions that we're playing today. So, we have to take them off," said Arteta.
William Saliba last featured for Arsenal against Chelsea and picked up an ankle injury. Arteta opened up on his possibility of getting fit in time.
Arteta revealed that Saliba and other players are having issues with themselves, noting the big number of games they are playing, it's very tough to stay fit throughout the season.
"Well, they had issues and they've been carrying issues. And the amount of games that we are playing, it's obviously super demanding. And it was the only time to try to make sure that we can clean those issues that they're having to start the next sequence of two weeks before the break in the best possible way. We had to make those decisions," said Arteta.
Arteta's eye on three titles
Currently, Arsenal could be considered as the best team in Europe. With the Gunners aiming for three different titles in the ongoing season.
Currently, The Gunners have reached the quarterfinals of the FA Cup and top the Premier League standings with 67 points. Arsenal also topped the league phase of the UEFA Champions League, now, they have reached the RO16 round of the tournament.