Mikel Arteta handed triple Arsenal injury boost with teenage star set for debut

Mikel Arteta is considering giving another teenage keeper his Arsenal debut in the at on Wednesday.

The boss reported a triple injury boost with and fit to play while skipper is nearing a return to action before the international break. And he hinted Tommy Setford, 18, could make his first start since joining from the Ajax Academy in the summer

With No.2 keeper Neto cup-tied in the Carabao Cup after playing in the competition for in August, . Before the first of four consecutive away matches, Arteta said: “We bought him (Setford) because we know he’s got the qualities we’re looking for with our goalkeeping area.

“But unfortunately he’s been injured so he hasn’t really played. Let’s see if we play him or not tomorrow.”

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Gabriel and Timber both went off during Sunday’s draw with . Speaking about the Brazilian, Arteta said: “We’re still assessing him. It doesn’t look that bad at all. He was much better the next day. Hopefully he’ll be fine. He’s done some tests.”

And referring to the Dutchman, he added: “Jurrien was fine. He was very tired. He’s been out for a while and he could not continue the game. Not a new injury there at all. He could not continue so we decided to make a very safe call. But he was fine.”

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William Saliba is back after suspension but Areta reported Riccardo Calafiori will be out “for a few weeks” after twisting his right knee against Shakhtar Donetsk Gunners captain Odegaard has been out since injuring his ankle playing for Norway.

"He’s been on the grass for a few weeks, but there is still a few boxes to tick," Arteta said. "How fast we can do that last stage of the rehab is a question we’ll have to answer once we have players around him and he starts competing with the team.

"He hasn’t done that yet. Will he be back before the international break? Hopefully yes but we’ll have to see how that stage goes.”

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