Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri are available for selection for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb, but the game comes too soon for William Saliba.
All of Saliba, Calafiori and Nwaneri watched on helplessly as the Gunners blew a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Aston Villa in Saturday's Premier League clash, leaving them six points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the table having played a game more than the Reds.
Nwaneri has been sidelined since picking up a muscular issue against Brighton & Hove Albion on January 4, missing the Gunners' last four games in all tournaments, three of which Arteta's side failed to win.
Meanwhile, Calafiori also sustained a fresh problem prior to the FA Cup loss to Manchester United, but the pair were seen in full training on Tuesday, fuelling the belief that they could return in midweek.
Arteta confirmed as such when he faced the media in his pre-game press conference, saying: "Very positive news, we missed them for a few weeks and they returned to training so they'll be available for the game."
Calafiori, Nwaneri set for Arsenal returns against Dinamo Zagreb
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Elaborating on Nwaneri's issue, which came just as the 17-year-old was beginning to start Premier League games, Arteta added: "Was a big setback because he was getting some consistency, and then suddenly this happens."
Nwaneri's return gives Arteta one recognised option on the right-hand side of the attack, while Calafiori could slot straight back into his left-back role if Myles Lewis-Skelly is deemed in need of a rest.
However, Saliba was not able to train with his teammates amid claims that the Frenchman will spend two weeks on the sidelines with his new hamstring injury, which Arteta refused to confirm pre-match.
The Gunners boss did offer a largely positive update, but Saliba will not be ready for Wednesday, adding: "He's evolving well, the last few days he was feeling much better already but this game comes a bit too soon for him."
Asked if Saliba would be back in time to face Manchester City in the Premier League on February 2, Arteta replied with what every Gooner wants to hear, saying: "Yes, I hope so."
Arteta delivers fresh update on Saka recovery
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For the time being, Saliba joins Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka on the Arsenal sidelines, but the latter is seemingly stepping up his rehabilitation from a hamstring operation.
Saka was recently seen without his crutches, but Arteta affirmed that the 23-year-old is still unlikely to return before his original estimated comeback date of late March, adding: "That's not going to change.
"It's within the process and the timelines they've had. He's feeling better day by day, but we have to respect the healing process, and he still has a lot of stages to go through."
Arsenal head into the penultimate Champions League league phase matchday in third place in the 36-team table, and victory would go a long way to securing an automatic place in the last 16.
The Gunners last faced off with Dinamo Zagreb in the group stage of the 2015-16 tournament, suffering a 2-1 loss away from home before making amends with a routine 3-0 Emirates victory under Arsene Wenger.
Ben Knapton
