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Arteta offers worrying fitness update ahead of Palace clash

By on April 23, 2025

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Arsenal return to Premier League action as they take on Crystal Palace on Wednesday night.

The Gunners are aiming to finish the season strongly despite their Premier League title hopes now all-but over for another year.

Mikel Arteta’s side head into the match after an impressive 4-0 win over Ipswich at the weekend.

The result was a morale booster for the squad, though the title looks out of reach. Liverpool are just one win away from being crowned Premier League champions.

Arteta on Squad selection

Arsenal play Palace a week before their huge Champions League semi-final first leg against PSG and Arteta provided a worrying update on the fitness of his squad.

The Gunners boss says he’s ‘really short in numbers’ with several players on the treatment table – which is not ideal with the PSG game on the horizon – and he suggested that other players are not fit enough to play the full ninety minutes.

Arteta is quoted by Arsenal.com as saying:

“Yeah, we have more days. The amount of options that we have is not that many, especially because of where some of the players are coming in and the amount of minutes they can play. But it’s good to have a little gap because we are really short in numbers.  

“It’s what we have. Let’s take the opportunity. First of all, earn the right to win the game tomorrow against a really good side that have a really good record away from home as well. After that we’ll have time to prepare the game really well.” 

“That’s why we need the players. If they are not available, there’s no discussion. And if they are not in good condition to perform, we’re not going to play them. And if they are, we are going to play them.”  

Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kai Havertz and Riccardo Calafiori are all on the sidelines. Jorginho is also facing ‘a few weeks’ out after suffering a rib injury.

However, there was slightly better news on Bukayo Saka as Arteta says his issue isn’t serious after he limped off with an ankle injury against Ipswich at the weekend. Arteta told Arsenal.com:

on Bukayo Saka’s fitness:
We have to wait and see how he reacts after the session, but it’s nothing too serious.

on whether he can play on Wednesday:
If we want to, I think he would have a good chance to play tomorrow.

on Calafiori and Jorginho’s fitness:
Yes Ricci is out, and Jorginho as well. For Jorginho I think unfortunately it will be a few weeks.

Arteta will be hoping for all three points and no fresh injuries against Palace before the vital European semi-final next week.