Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal will be without defensive stalwarts William Saliba and Jurrien Timber for their upcoming Champions League fixture against Kairat Almaty on Wednesday evening. The manager revealed that both players have sustained what he described as "niggles" following their full ninety-minute appearances in Sunday's dramatic Premier League defeat to Manchester United.
Defensive Duo Ruled Out for Midweek European Encounter
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the European clash, Arteta provided clarity on the fitness situation surrounding his key defenders. "Those players are out," stated the Arsenal boss definitively. "They have some niggles and it is a good opportunity now that we try some different work with them to get them in the best possible condition that we can hope for."
The decision to rest Saliba and Timber appears precautionary, with Arteta clearly prioritising their availability for upcoming domestic fixtures. The match against the Kazakh side represents something of a dead rubber for the Gunners, who have already secured qualification for the knockout stages with an impeccable record of seven victories from seven matches in the league phase.
Additional Absences and Squad Rotation Considerations
Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino will also be unavailable for selection against Kairat Almaty, though his absence stems from suspension rather than injury concerns. Merino made a notable impact from the bench during the Manchester United encounter, scoring a late equaliser before the visitors dramatically restored their advantage just three minutes later through Matheus Cunha's spectacular curling effort.
With top spot in their Champions League group virtually assured barring an extraordinary goal difference swing against the competition's bottom side, Arteta has the luxury of rotating his squad for this midweek fixture. This approach allows valuable recovery time for players carrying minor complaints while providing opportunities for other squad members to gain important minutes.
Arteta Reflects on Title Race Setback and Future Mindset
The Arsenal manager also addressed his team's reaction to their first home defeat of the season, which saw their Premier League advantage halved to four points over Manchester City and Aston Villa. Despite this setback, Arteta expressed considerable satisfaction with how his players have processed the disappointment.
"The reaction has been excellent," he affirmed. "We took a moment to bring the temperature down, to pause and to reflect and to ask questions. One is how do we feel? How do I feel? And how do we want to live the next four months?"
Arteta elaborated on the positive mindset emerging from these reflections, stating: "It was so encouraging and beautiful because what came out of there is very simple. We have earned the right to be in a great position in four competitions and - in the next four months - we're going to live and play with enjoyment, with a lot of courage and a conviction that we're going to win it."
Manager Calls for Collective Support During Crucial Period
The Spanish tactician emphasised the importance of unity as Arsenal enter what promises to be a defining period across multiple competitions. "This is the mindset and where we're going to put the energy," Arteta explained. "I'm just hoping everyone who is related to this club, especially the supporters, are going to jump on this boat because this is the way we're going to live the next four months."
With Champions League progression already secured and a strong position maintained in the Premier League title race despite recent setbacks, Arsenal approach Wednesday's fixture with the freedom to manage player fitness strategically while maintaining competitive standards.
