Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta refused to give too much away when questioned on Bukayo Saka and William Saliba's availability for Saturday's Premier League trip to Chelsea.
The duo were two of three Gunners players to pull out of international duty this month, as Saka is still struggling with the hamstring problem that he picked up against Lens in the Champions League.
The England winger was "in contention" to face Manchester City two weeks ago according to Arteta, but the Spaniard's comments were only smoke and mirrors, as Saka's record-breaking streak of 87 successive Premier League appearances came to an end.
Saka did arrive at St George's Park with his England teammates for October's fixtures against Australia and Italy, but he was quickly sent home following an assessment by the medical team, and subsequent updates on his condition have been sparse.
Arteta was quizzed on Saka's condition during Friday morning's press conference, but in typical fashion, the Arsenal boss remained tight-lipped when discussing the fitness of the 22-year-old.
© Reuters
When asked if Saka wants to play on Saturday, Arteta replied: "I'm sure he wants to play, yes. I don't see any player there that doesn't want to be in the starting XI!
"He's been working so hard to be fit for this game and let's see where he is today. He's had a couple of days off that he needed as well, but the rest unfortunately has not been rest for him because he needs to train and get ready to be available against Chelsea.
"It's our responsibility to monitor them, but it's not only about the minutes when they are on the field, there is some balance there. But when you want to be a top, top player you have to be able to play every three days and play 65 to 70 games, it is what it is.
"I think we have to play him when we see that he is in the right condition to play, mentally and physically, and that he is performing, he needs to deserve to play. But so far when he's played the amount of minutes it's because we believed that he was ready to cope with that."
Not long after playing the full 90 in his side's 1-0 win over Man City, Saliba also pulled out of the France squad citing a "chronic" toe injury, which he has apparently been managing for a while.
© Reuters
Given that Saliba has been able to play through the pain so far, there is optimism that he will be fit to face Chelsea this weekend, but Arteta could not confirm whether he would be in the squad.
"He's been carrying that for weeks now and we had to use that time to settle and we believe that it was the best moment to do it," Arteta stated, before adding that Saliba's availability would be determined on how he manages to come through training on Friday.
As well as Saka and Saliba, Leandro Trossard was unable to represent Belgium this month, having come off at half time in the victory over Man City due to a hamstring issue of his own.
Jurrien Timber, meanwhile, is a long-term absentee with his cruciate ligament injury, but Arteta has the likes of Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior ready to deputise in defence if need be.
Arsenal enter the weekend sat second in the Premier League table, and victory over Chelsea would see the Gunners rise to the top of the rankings over Tottenham Hotspur, who are only ahead on goals scored and are not in action until Monday's London derby with Fulham.
No Data Analysis info
