Ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League trip to the Vitality Stadium, Mikel Arteta has shared both a message of support for Enzo Maresca and an update on the fitness of key members of his squad.
Chelsea confirmed Maresca’s departure on January 1, bringing an end to the Italian’s spell at Stamford Bridge. Reflecting on the development, Arteta spoke warmly about his fellow coach, praising both his character and professional achievements.
“I wish him all the best for the season,” Arteta said. “I really like Enzo as a person and as a coach. He did a fantastic job at Chelsea. The decision has been taken, and I sincerely hope he succeeds in whatever comes next.”
Maresca departs after overseeing notable success last season, leading Chelsea to victories in the Europa Conference League and the Club World Cup. However, the current campaign has proven more demanding, with the Blues battling inconsistency and trailing league leaders Arsenal by 15 points.
While addressing matters beyond North London, Arteta also turned his focus to team news. Declan Rice, who missed Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa because of a knee problem, remains under close observation.
“We have another training session today,” Arteta explained. “We’ll monitor how he responds and assess how he’s feeling afterward.”
Rice is still considered a doubt for the weekend clash. Meanwhile, Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori have been ruled out and will not feature.
There was encouragement for Arsenal supporters, though, as Ben White made his return against Villa. Additionally, Kai Havertz was fit enough to be named among the substitutes in that match.
The Gunners will take on Bournemouth at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 3, as they look to maintain their strong position at the top of the table.
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