Arteta Talks About Saka, Merino, and Potential Deals

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s coach, reassured the team’s fans about Bukayo Saka’s condition ahead of the second leg of the English League Cup semi-final against Chelsea. He confirmed that the injury Saka sustained during the warm-up before the big win over Leeds United (4-0) does not appear to be serious, but it is still under medical evaluation.

Arteta explained in the press conference before the match that Saka’s condition is improving, stating that the final decision on his participation will be made after monitoring his response in the coming hours. He noted that the possibility of his absence from the Chelsea match or the weekend games still exists, without confirming it.

On the other hand, the “Gunners” coach spoke about Mikel Merino’s injury, confirming that the Spanish midfielder will undergo surgery after sustaining a foot injury during the match against Manchester United. He described his absence as a significant blow due to his technical value and ability to play in multiple positions.

Arteta also touched on the transfer market, confirming that the club is considering its options to compensate for Merino’s absence, especially with several crucial months remaining in the season and competition in more than one tournament. He noted that the management will be active in seeking suitable solutions, while being prepared to continue with the current squad if no suitable option is available.