Arsenal handed key injury boost as star spotted ahead of Bournemouth trip

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been handed a key injury boost with one of his star players spotted ahead of the side's trip to Bournemouth.

The Gunners travel to the south coast on Saturday afternoon to take on Andoni Iraola's side, with the game kicking off at 3pm.

But Arteta will be without several key players due to injury, with Jurrien Timber among those out long-term. The Dutch defender has a serious knee injury, and will not return until next year.

The list of injury problems, though, continues, with five players all nursing knocks ahead of the Bournemouth clash.

But Arteta looks as if he could have one of those players available after he was spotted ahead of the Bournemouth clash.

Arsenal handed major injury boost

Arteta announced earlier this week that, after Declan Rice was taken off through injury in the north London derby against Tottenham, the midfielder has not trained this week.

To make matters worse, however, the Spaniard added that Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard had also been absent from training.

None of the quartet featured in the 1-0 win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

But there appears to be good news, at least, over Saka, with the Arsenal star seen signing autographs after the squad arrived in Bournemouth.

You can watch the full clip below.

Speaking about Arsenal's growing injury problems on Friday, Arteta explained (quotes via 90min): "Declan hasn't trained yet [this week]. We have a session in an hour, we'll get more news about him.

"Gabi [Martinelli] hasn't trained, Leo [Trossard] same situation. Saka, same. They are all in the same pool.

"Willy [Saliba] had a knock, Fabio [Vieira] wasn't involved. We have to assess them today."

Along with Saka, Arteta will be desperate to name at least some of his injured players in the squad to take on Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium this afternoon.