Here is your Arsenal morning digest for Wednesday, February 17th.
Kieran Tierney boost
Arsenal are set to enter a decisive moment of the season with the Europa League double-header against Benfica, as well as Premier League clashes against Manchester City and Leicester City.
Mikel Arteta has been handed a huge boost ahead of that run of games, with Kieran Tierney pictured in training ahead of Thursday's clash in Rome.
While it may still be too soon for the Scotland international to start or make his return, it's a step in the right direction at least.
Tierney has missed the last five Premier League matches for Arsenal, as well as the FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Southampton.
Lacazette backed for exit
Mikel Arteta's rejuvenation of the Arsenal squad will continue this summer and it could result in some significant exits from the squad.
A plethora of January departures saw the Gunners' squad trimmed of high-earners and further departures are on the cards this summer for a number of reasons.
Our Arsenal man Chris Wheatley has given his assessment of the squad and who should be retained, along with who should be sold, and the latter includes some notable names.
Alexandre Lacazette, who is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract, is one player selected for a departure, along with Alex Runarsson, Calum Chambers and others.
Saka says Arsenal have their balance
Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka has stated his belief that Mikel Arteta has found the right balance in the squad following the victory over Leeds United.
That result came after back-to-back defeats against Wolves and Aston Villa but Saka hopes it represents a turning point.
“I hope [this can be a turning point]. The last two games we lost, but I thought we were quite unlucky. So to get this one over the line, get the win, it sets us up for quite a tough week and gives us a lot of confidence going into the games," he told the club website.
“As a young player you get that experience and around you people are there to guide you when things aren’t going well. They can give you confidence, instructions and things like that. I just feel like Arteta has got the right balance for us at the moment.”
