The Gunners have faced many injuries this season. Mikel Arteta has had to manage a squad without key players during a period of tough fixtures. They were lucky to escape such hinderances in the past two years but this time around they are in a tough spot. The demand from the fans for a trophy is getting louder from the pundits and the fans and the pressure to win a title is higher than ever.
The Gunners in their last league match against Liverpool couldn’t hold on to their lead and it ended in a 2-2 draw. Their next game is against Newcastle and the one after that is against Chelsea. The run of fixtures in the league after the next two games is much easier than the ones at the start of the season. If Arsenal manage to win the next two games, they will have a good chance to challenge for the title with Manchester City and Liverpool set to face off in the coming few weeks.
Mikel Arteta recently answered a few questions about the availability of some players. Let’s talk about the injury update on Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Kieran Tierney, Martin Odegaard, and Gabriel.
Timber is back, Calafiori and Tierney will take time
Arsenal are struggling with naming a healthy back four. They have had issues with defenders from the first game of the season. Riccardo Calafiori’s debut was delayed because of injury and the new one that he picked up looks worse every time you look at it. Mikel Arteta said that it isn’t as bad as one would have imagined but he made it clear that he will be out for a few weeks. A few weeks doesn’t sound so bad when you look at how he fell. One thing is clear, Arsenal will be without their newest defensive addition at least till the next international break ends.
Jurrien Timber had a similar start to his Arsenal career, but unfortunately, the Dutch defender had to miss an entire season. He went off against Liverpool limping, but Mikel Arteta made it clear to everyone that he is absolutely fine. Fatigue was the reason for him to be taken off with the coach saying that he could not continue any further. He played in the 3-0 win against Preston and will surely start at the weekend.
Kieran Tierney according to Arteta is very close to getting fit. The Spaniard said that Tierney looks sharp. Even though he hasn’t trained with the team yet, it would be nice to watch him play a few more times for Arsenal. He was expected to leave if he hadn’t gotten injured and it looks like he will eventually leave.
Mikel Arteta on Gabriel and Martin Odegaard
As for Gabriel, things are dicey. Mikel Arteta is not the type of manager who tells the media who will play and who won’t. He likes to keep the opposition guessing is my best bet as to why he does it. During a recent press conference, the manager said that Gabriel is still being assessed but the injury doesn’t look bad. Arteta said that he is much better than expected and if he’s healthy then he’ll be ready for selection. I don’t know what to make of it, but Arsenal shouldn’t rush him into the lineup. He is an important member of the squad and avoidance of any long-term issue should be the priority.
Martin Odegaard is finally on the grass. Fans have waited for such news for a long time. According to Arteta, he still has a few boxes to tick and is in the last stage of rehab. Even though he hasn’t trained with his teammates, the Norwegian could be back before the international break. I don’t expect to see him before the break but yeah, good news.
Arsenal will face a Newcastle squad full of confidence after their win over Chelsea in the EFL Cup. Even though The Magpies beat them in the same fixture last year, Arsenal will be the favorites heading to St James’s Park.
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