Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has provided the latest on Bukayo Saka, Jorginho and Riccardo Calafiori ahead of Wednesday's Premier League showdown with Crystal Palace.
The Gunners did not come out of Sunday's 4-0 victory over Ipswich Town unscathed, as Saka was the victim of a horrendous challenge from Leif Davis, for which the left-back was given a straight red card.
Saka stayed down for a few minutes after the challenge and was eventually able to soldier on for a short while, but he had to call it quits just before the hour mark at Portman Road.
However, Arteta expressed hope at full time that the England international had avoided a serious problem, and he expects Saka to declare himself fit for the battle with the Eagles as well.
"We have to wait and see how he reacts after the [next training] session, but it's nothing too serious. If we want to, I think he would have a good chance to play tomorrow," Arteta told journalists at his pre-game press conference.
Jorginho may have played final Arsenal game
© Imago
However, Arteta did not have such positive news to share on Jorginho, who has been sidelined for the Gunners' last two games due to the chest injury he suffered against Brentford two weekends ago.
Reports soon after that London derby claimed that the Italy international would spend a few weeks on the sidelines, and Arteta has now confirmed the length of his absence and potentially the end of his Arsenal career.
Jorginho is expected to join Flamengo when his Arsenal contract runs out at the end of the season, and Arteta could not guarantee that he would feature again this season, meaning that the 33-year-old may have played his final game for the Gunners already.
"For Jorginho I think unfortunately it will be a few weeks," he added. "I hope so [to have him back before the end of the season], but I'm not certain. So we have to see how he evolves in the next few days, I would say a few weeks.
"So the doctor was quite cautious still talking about any dates. So let's see. The good news is that he's improving, he's feeling much better. It was quite a scary situation and he's in a good place now."
Arteta provides fresh Calafiori update before PSG game
© Imago
The Spaniard also confirmed that knee victim Calafiori would not be seen on Wednesday night, but he is expected to be the next cab off the rank in terms of Arsenal's injury victims.
The Arsenal boss previously expressed hope that Calafiori would return for next Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg with Paris Saint-Germain, but he was non-committal on Tuesday, adding: "Yes Ricci is out.
"Three of the injuries, obviously they are impact injuries. One is a really bad twist. It could have been worse, to be fair. So now we learn many more things about the player and how we can be much more on top of certain situations to try to prevent them.
"But it's true that the two main ones, they've been really unlucky and very little that we could have done differently."
Liverpool will be crowned 2024-25 Premier League champions if Arsenal lose to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, as the Gunners are 13 points behind the Reds with just 15 left to fight for.
Ben Knapton
