Mikel Arteta speaks on Saka's fitness, Jesus transfer and Partey return

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Mikel Arteta is set to face the press ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with West Ham United at the London Stadium on Sunday.

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The Gunners go into the game in high spirits after back-to-back wins against Chelsea and Manchester United have put them back in pole position for claiming the final Champions League qualification spot ahead of Tottenham.

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Perhaps the only negative to have come out of last week was that Bukayo Saka – who scored penalties in both victories – limped off in the win over United, creating some concerns over his fitness.

There was slightly more positive news on the fitness front with Thomas Partey being pictured on the running machine again as he targets a return from his thigh problem before the end of the campaign.

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While the focus in the short-term is very much on the top four, that hasn’t stopped fans from wondering what Edu might do in the transfer window this summer. A striker is very much high on the agenda and Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City has been linked heavily in the past few weeks.

Arteta on whether Saka is the penatly taker for Arsenal

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Tomorrow if someone has to take a penalty I think he will take it again. Hopefully he can continue to put the ball in the net.

Arteta on Tomi’s two-footedness

When we followed the player it was something that came across. He gives you a lot of solutions, not only because he’s two footed but he can play anywhere on the backline. It’s the way he’s been coached that’s what he says so for him left and right is the same.

Arteta on how Saka came back from Euros disappointment

The first two conversations that I had were straight after the incident. I must say Gareth Southgate was really helpful as well so by the time he joined us he was in a really good place. He got the support and help he needed to overcome that situation and then it’s down to him and his family for how he recovered as well.

Arteta on Bellerin’s future

Any player with a contractual obligation with us is our player and is considered our player. Every plan considers that possibility (that they could stay) and how they can fit into the team.

Arteta on Xhaka’s reneissance

Things that have happened in his private life. He’s a father now, he’s been through a lot of difficult moments but he’s found a lot of support here. How he’s changing constantly to become a better person and a better player, so credit to him.

Arsenal have been heavily linked to signing Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City across the past week. TBcrest understands that Edu has been in conversations with the Brazil international’s representatives since November ahead of a potential move this summer.

With that in mind it’s worth taking a look at what Jesus would offer the Gunners up top.

Takehiro Tomiyasu sharp, Nicolas Pepe striker hint

It’s crunch time for Arsenal’s season. Having seemingly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the race for the top four with three defeats in a row against Crystal Palace, Brighton and Southampton, the Gunners are now arguably in the box seat again thanks to shock wins over Chelsea and Manchester United.

With that in mind it’s absolutely essential that the Gunners pick up all three points when they travel to the London Stadium this Sunday. Mikel Arteta’s men will be favourites due to the fact that the game is sandwiched in between the Hammers’ two Europa League semi finals against Eintracht Frankfurt, but this game is still a tricky test.

The Spaniard has had his team working hard at London Colney in the build up as a result. The club released footage from the training session on their website.

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