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Arsenal team news update: Key duo fit but 4 players could miss Prague clash

By mac14 on April 14, 2021

Arsenal have provided a team news and injury update ahead of our crucial Europa League quarter-final second leg against Slavia Prague on Thursday night.

Let’s start with the positive news and we’ve been handed a major boost with Bukayo Saka passed fit to feature tomorrow. The 19-year-old limped off during the 3-0 win at Sheffield United on Sunday with what initially appeared to be a recurrence of his thigh injury.

However, it soon emerged that he had only suffered a dead leg and Arsenal have now confirmed that Saka is back in training and available for selection against Slavia Prague.

There is also good news regarding the fitness of Emile Smith Rowe. The youngster had missed our win at Bramall Lane on Sunday due to an ankle injury that he sustained in the first leg against Prague three days earlier. However, Smith Rowe is also back in full training and is fit for the trip to the Czech Republic.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was another absentee for the win over Sheffield United at the weekend. The Arsenal skipper was apparently too unwell to play in that game and he’s still a doubt to face Slavia Prague tomorrow.

There is also still a concern over Martin Odegaard. The midfielder has sat out our last two matches due to an ankle injury and will need to be assessed to see whether he’ll be able to return against Slavia Prague.

So we have two key players doubtful tomorrow and they could join David Luiz and Kieran Tierney on the sidelines with the defensive duo facing a race against time to play again this season due to knee injuries.

The update on Arsenal.com said:

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Auba missed Sunday’s match against Sheffield United due to feeling unwell. Auba continues to be assessed ahead of Thursday’s match regarding his availability.

David Luiz
Right knee. As announced last week, David underwent a successful small procedure on his right knee and is rehabilitating with the medical team. David is expected to be back to full fitness and available for selection in the upcoming weeks.

Martin Odegaard
Right ankle. Martin has been experiencing discomfort to his right ankle since being on international duty. Martin missed the first leg against Slavia Prague last Thursday and Sunday’s match against Sheffield United. He continues to be assessed ahead of Thursday’s match regarding his availability.

Bukayo Saka
Bukayo is in full training and available for selection.

Emile Smith Rowe
Left ankle. Emile has recovered from a sprain to his left ankle sustained during the first leg against Slavia Prague last Thursday. Emile is now back in full training and available for selection.

Kieran Tierney
Left knee. Kieran sustained ligament damage to his left knee during the match against Liverpool on April 3. As announced earlier in the week, surgery will not be required and it’s hoped that Kieran will be back in full training within four to six weeks.

So we’ll have to wait and see whether Auba and Odegaard will be available tomorrow but Gabriel Martinelli – who wasn’t mentioned in the team news update – should be on the plane today. The Brazilian appeared to pick up an ankle knock at the weekend but told reporters after the game he was fine and would be available to face Prague.

It’s obviously a huge boost to have Saka and Smith Rowe available as Arsenal know we need a win to guarantee our place in the semi-finals of the Europa League following last week’s frustrating 1-1 draw at the Emirates.