Arteta provides extensive fitness update ahead of Leicester clash

Mikel Arteta says David Raya faces a late fitness test ahead of tomorrow’s clash match with Leicester.

The Spain international missed Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over Bolton due to a muscular injury picked up at the Etihad last Sunday and could be replaced by loan signing Neto.

“We have to wait another 24 hours. We have to wait 24 hours to see if he’s looking good or not that good,” Arteta told his pre-game press conference.

“It’s not about risk, it’s about if a player is available or not and when we have that clarity for Leicester, which is the main thing we are thinking about at the moment, we’ll make the decision tomorrow.”

Neto, 35, has plenty of Premier League experience having spent the last two seasons as Bournemouth’s first-choice stopper. He also has the backing of the boss who said: “He’s played in various countries at the highest level in different roles and he’s always fulfilled it in the right way.

“I believe he was the right player [to sign] because he was in the Premier League, he had experience and he’s someone we can throw there at any moment.”

Arteta is here for his presser.

On Raya: “We have to wait another 24 hours. We have to wait 24 hours to see if it is looking good or not.

“It’s not about risk. It is about a player being fit or available. We will make a decision tomorrow.”

— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) September 27, 2024

While losing Raya would definitely be a blow, there was more positive news on other members of the squad.

Both Jurrien Timber and Ben White returned to full training today and could be part of the squad while Leandro Trossard is back after serving his one-game suspension.

Elsewhere, long-term absentees Mikel Merino and Takehiro Tomiyasu also took part in partial training today as they edge closer to full fitness.

Merino fractured his shoulder in his first full session after joining from Real Sociedad a month ago while Tomi has been struggling with a knee injury picked up days into pre-season training.

“Tomorrow is too soon [for Merino], next week, we’ll see,” said Arteta. “He had partial training today, he’s been working so hard and he’s looking good. It’s just about the healing of that bone, how mature that is and to expose him to contact basically.”

On his Japan international, he added: “He had a partial training today and he looked good.

“He’s progressing really well. He’s probably a little bit behind Mikel [Merino], but we don’t know with Tomi because he’s another one that pushes every single day, but he’s in a good place now, I think.”

Arteta also confirmed that youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly has recovered from a busy week that saw him make his first two competitive appearances for the club. The academy graduate appeared to be in a lot of discomfort when he was subbed on Wednesday but apparently only had cramp.

Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko remain out with hamstring and calf problems respectively.