Mikel Arteta has provided key updates on Arsenal’s ongoing injury concerns ahead of their Premier League showdown against Bournemouth.
The Gunners are dealing with several setbacks in their defense, especially among the full-back options, as they prepare to face Bournemouth this weekend.
Arteta admitted that while some of his top players are close to returning, Arsenal are still “struggling” with injuries that have limited their squad depth.
Despite remaining unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, Arsenal have been facing difficulties with player availability.
Injuries to Ben White, Jurrien Timber, and Oleksandr Zinchenko have left the Gunners thin in the full-back department, and Arteta’s latest update sheds light on the fitness of these key defenders.
Defensive Struggles: Key Players Close to Returning
Arsenal’s defensive strength has been tested in recent weeks, with full-backs Ben White, Jurrien Timber, and Oleksandr Zinchenko all missing significant playing time.
White and Timber have been absent for recent fixtures, while Zinchenko has not played since representing Ukraine during the September international break.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta expressed cautious optimism about the trio’s recovery. “They [White, Timber, and Zinchenko] are quite close, the three of them,” Arteta said. “Today we’ll have to push. We are struggling a bit with the numbers, especially in our right side.”
Ben White has been a crucial figure in Arsenal’s backline, while Timber’s early performances before his injury showed great promise.
Zinchenko, known for his versatility and ability to transition between defense and midfield, has also been a key player for Arteta’s system.
However, with all three nearing full fitness, Arsenal fans can be hopeful that the team’s defensive unit will be strengthened in the coming weeks.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli: Fitness Updates
The injury list doesn’t end with the defenders. Midfielder Kai Havertz and forward Gabriel Martinelli have also been dealing with fitness issues, further complicating Arsenal’s squad depth.
Havertz was forced to withdraw from Germany’s squad due to a knee problem, while Martinelli returned from Brazil with a knock.
Arteta gave a positive update on Havertz’s condition, stating that the German international has a good chance of being available for the Bournemouth game. “He [Havertz] had a few issues, but we’ve been dealing with that. We have great communication with Germany. If he trains well today, he has a good chance to be fit and available.”
As for Martinelli, Arteta acknowledged that the decision to play him would depend on his condition following a training session. “Gabi landed yesterday afternoon. He went outside a bit to see how he’s feeling. We have to decide if we want to take a risk because I know he’ll say he is,” Arteta added.
The potential return of these attacking talents would be a major boost for Arsenal, particularly with key fixtures coming up in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Odegaard’s Absence Continues
Another crucial player that Arsenal have been missing is captain Martin Odegaard. The Norwegian midfielder has been sidelined with an ankle injury since late August, and while Arteta is hopeful for a return soon, Odegaard won’t be ready for the Bournemouth match.
“He’s [Odegaard] not gonna be fit for this game,” Arteta confirmed. “Next week will be a different story. He needs to clear some markers doing things with the ball in that latter stage of rehab. Next week will be crucial.”
Odegaard’s absence has been a blow to Arsenal’s creativity in midfield, but the team has managed to remain competitive without him. However, his return could provide the spark Arsenal need as they look to maintain their unbeaten run and continue their strong start to the season.
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Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey: Positive News
Amid the various injury concerns, Arsenal fans can breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey. Both players have been cleared to play against Bournemouth, with Saka’s recovery being particularly crucial.
Saka was a doubt for this weekend’s match after withdrawing from the England squad due to injury. However, Arteta reassured fans that Saka has avoided any serious damage and is likely to feature against Bournemouth. “He’s evolving really well,” Arteta said. “He’s done a few things in the last two days. We have a training session this afternoon, so let’s see if he can make it on time.”
Thomas Partey, another key player for Arsenal, has also been cleared to play, which adds stability to the midfield. Partey’s presence allows Arteta to maintain control in the middle of the park, giving Arsenal the structure they need to press forward against their opponents.
What It Means for Arsenal’s Match Against Bournemouth
As Arsenal head into their clash with Bournemouth, they face a tricky situation. While key players are inching closer to returning, Arteta’s squad is still stretched thin, particularly in defense. The Gunners will have to rely on the depth and versatility of the squad to keep their unbeaten run intact.
The return of players like White, Timber, and Zinchenko in the near future will provide much-needed relief, but in the meantime, Arsenal will need to stay resilient. The potential availability of Havertz and Martinelli will add firepower to their attack, while the fitness of Saka and Partey ensures that the Gunners remain competitive in the midfield.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, will be looking to capitalize on Arsenal’s injury struggles, but Arteta’s side has shown time and again that they can cope with adversity. With the depth of talent at Arteta’s disposal, Arsenal will be confident in securing another positive result as they push towards the top of the Premier League table.
