Santi Cazorla has provided an injury update after being forced off after 57 minutes of Arsenal’s 6-0 win over Ludogorets on Wednesday.
The midfielder has been a virtual ever present this season but was substituted for Mohamed Elneny after picking up a problem in the Champions League clash.
However, Cazorla is confident the injury will not rule him out of Saturday’s game against Middlesbrough and when asked if expected to be fit he told IBTimes UK: “Yes, yes. I hope so. I have to be ready to play.
“I have a pain in the tendon. I got a kick in the first half and during the second I still had some pain so, with the result in our favour, the boss decided to give me a rest. It was good to recover for Saturday.”
Wednesday night’s victory leaves Arsenal top of Group A, but level on points with PSG, and Cazorla is expecting a battle with the French champions for top spot.
“We are happy for getting another three points. It’s clear that we will have to fight for first place with PSG. They are a great team, but we are happy with our work so far,” he explained.
“We played a great second half but the first was more difficult because they also did well. I liked their philosophy. They always want to play the ball and have quality players up front. Now our aim is to recover well for the game against Middlesbrough. We want to extend our good run. We cannot relax.”
Arsenal will be hoping Cazorla recovers in time for Saturday as the Gunners bid to continue their seven-game winning run, although Arsene Wenger does have options should he fail to regain fitness.