Arsenal are handed major injury boost ahead of Crystal Palace clash as TWO key stars are deemed fit to play by manager Mikel Arteta
- The Gunners will look to get back to winning ways in the league on Saturday
- Two of their key players who have been absent recently are set to feature
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Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori are available in a boost for Arsenal ahead of their Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Rice missed the Gunners’ 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over Palace on Wednesday due to a minor injury.
While Calafiori has been sidelined since the start of December. The Italian’s absence has seen 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly start in the left-back slot for Arsenal’s previous league match — a 0-0 draw against Everton. Calafiori is expected to regain his position.
Mikel Arteta also confirmed Oleksandr Zinchenko is in contention to play.
The Spaniard was speaking on the day which marked his five years as Arsenal manager.
Upon reflection on his tenure thus far, he said: ‘I really enjoyed it. It’s gone really fast. I’m really grateful to be in the position I am now. I have a lot to learn and improve. The best is still to come.
Mikel Arteta has been handed an injury boost with two stars fit to play against Crystal Palace
Both Declan Rice (left) and Riccardo Calafiori are available for selection after injury lay-offs
Arsenal are looking to return to winning ways in the Premier League after a draw last time out
‘This (major silverware) is what we want. To win the big trophies right now without losing the rest of what we have built. That’s very important as well.’
When asked what had changed the most across the five years, he added: ‘From my point of view, the unity and the connection and the fact that we’re competing in big fronts right now. We haven’t managed to do that in the past years. That’s positive but there’s still a lot to do.’
