Mikel Arteta drops Arsenal team news hint amid one-word response to Roy Keane's criticism

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update ahead of Saturday's match against Leicester City. The Gunners are currently missing several key players, including midfielders Martin Ødegaard and Mikel Merino, with Arteta admitting that it is still too early for the Spaniard's return.

Merino has yet to make a competitive appearance for Arsenal after suffering a shoulder injury during his first training session at the end of August.

"Tomorrow is too soon; we’ll see next week," Arteta said during his pre-match press conference on Friday, when asked about Merino's recovery. "He took part in partial training today. He’s been working so hard and looks good. It’s just a matter of how well that bone heals and whether it's mature enough for him to be exposed to contact."

"We’re trying to hold him back because he’s been pushing everyone—the physios, doctors, everyone! He’s ready to go and really wants to play. I think we’re getting to a point where we’re comfortable exposing him to contact, and he looked very sharp in training."

With goalkeeper David Raya facing a late fitness test ahead of Saturday’s game, Arteta hinted that Neto could make his debut for the club after signing on loan from Bournemouth.

"He’s played in various countries, at the highest level, and in different roles, and he’s always done so professionally," Arteta added. "I believe he was the right player to bring in because of his Premier League experience. He’s someone we can call upon at any moment."

Meanwhile, Arteta was asked about Roy Keane’s recent comments, where the former Manchester United captain criticised Arsenal’s approach in their match against Manchester City.

"They were just booting it, like a small team with a small mentality," Keane said.

"Go back three or four weeks—Arsenal did the same against Brighton with 10 or 15 minutes to go. The goalkeeper went down at home, time-wasting. Their mindset was exactly the same, whether it was against Man City or Brighton. When you have the ball, take care of it. Try to string together four or five passes."

Arteta, however, chose not to engage in a war of words with Keane, simply responding with a brief "no" when asked if he had a comment.