Arsenal are facing an injury storm just weeks into the season. William Saliba’s setback adding to a list of absentees that has left the heart of their team badly weakened.
Injury chaos leaves Arsenal under pressure
Mikel Arteta has always thrived on control, but the Arsenal boss is now dealing with chaos far sooner than expected. Just three league games in, the Gunners’ title charge has already been hit by a mounting injury list.
William Saliba’s ankle problem, picked up against Liverpool, is the latest blow. He adds to the injured list along with Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Ben White. There are still question marks over Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard’s fitness to play a full part as well.
This is a squad that has over £250m worth of summer investment behind them. So, the timing couldn’t be worse. Arteta now has to rely very heavily on some new signings and fringe players.
Squad depth will face its first real test
The good news for Arsenal is that the depth they’ve craved for years is finally in place. Viktor Gyokeres has started strongly up front, while Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie provide reliable defensive cover. Noni Madueke’s spark offers a temporary solution for Saka’s absence, and Eberechi Eze adds creativity from midfield.
Even Mikel Merino, fresh from a goal-filled international break, is pushing to take minutes off Declan Rice. On paper, this squad should be fine. But the reality is different, rotation is no longer optional. Noe, it’s essential, and fans will expect performances to match the investment.
The real question is whether Arsenal’s so-called second string can keep pace with Liverpool. The Reds have been flawless under head coach Arne Slot. The coming month feels like a turning point. The Gunners need to survive it and they will stay firmly in the race. If they stumble, the title dream could already begin to slip away.
Author’s Opinion:
Arsenal have the depth to deal with this storm, but excuses will not be tolerated anymore. Arteta has the tools, now it’s about proving this team can handle setbacks like true champions.
