Arsenal striker ‘pushing’ for return and ‘can’t be held back much longer’, says Arteta
Ricardo Calafiori has missed five games with a knee injury sustained while playing for Italy last month, and Arteta hopes the defender will return “maybe a little bit before” the first leg of the semi-final against a feared PSG team.
Arteta added that it is “too early to say” whether Jorginho will be available for the Gunners’ first appearance in the final four in 16 years, describing the midfielder as “still struggling” with a rib injury he suffered against Brentford on April 12.
The issue ruled Jorginho out of the 2-1 win at Real Madrid in Arsenal’s European quarter-final decider on Wednesday, when they completed a 5-1 aggregate victory to knock the holders out.
Ipswich vs Arsenal
Liverpool will end Arsenal’s title challenge and win the league with five games to spare if Arteta’s side lose at Ipswich Town on Sunday (14:00 BST) and the Reds win at second-bottom Leicester City (16:30).
Like Leicester, the third-bottom Tractor Boys – who earned their second successive promotion last season – are on the brink of an immediate relegation back to the Championship.
💫 Perfect delivery
🎯 Clinical finishMartinelli 🤝 Havertz pic.twitter.com/IC7M1hhBe1
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 23, 2025
“They are a really well-organised team,” said Arteta, praising opposition manager Kieran McKenna and his staff’s achievements as “remarkable”.
“I understand where they are at the moment and they’re playing at home. You see every week the number of issues they give to the opposition, so we expect a tough game.”
Arsenal want ‘strong hope’ in Premier League table
While Liverpool are almost out of sight, Arsenal hold a four-point lead over third-placed Newcastle following 1-1 draws at home to the Bees and away to Everton.
“We need to start winning matches in the Premier League to at least maintain the position we are in and push into the last few games with strong hope,” urged Arteta, calling the trip to Portman Road “big”.
Arsenal host Crystal Palace in the top flight on Wednesday before the visit of Ligue 1 champions PSG six days later (both 20:00).
Their trip to Paris takes place on May 7 (20:00).
