Arsenal Accidents: Saliba, Saka and Havertz Going through Unsure Timelines
As Arsenal put together to renew their Premier League marketing campaign, the dialog is dominated not by ways or kind however by the harm listing stretching throughout Mikel Arteta’s squad. The Gunners head into September carrying important health considerations, a burden that might form their season.
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Key gamers struggling for health
William Saliba’s setback at Anfield epitomised the fragility of Arsenal’s present state of affairs. The defender twisted his ankle within the warm-up earlier than making an attempt to play by the ache. He lasted solely 5 minutes earlier than giving technique to Cristhian Mosquera, forcing a reshuffle on the coronary heart of defence. Stories in France urged Saliba might miss three to 4 weeks, elevating the prospect of him sitting out clashes in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, Newcastle, Olympiacos and West Ham. Arteta admitted uncertainty over the difficulty, praising Mosquera’s composure however conceding: “We don’t know the severity but.”
Bukayo Saka stays one other supply of concern. The winger suffered a contemporary hamstring downside in opposition to Leeds, this time in his left leg, although he prevented the surgical procedure that value him three months final winter. Arteta admitted that these repeated strains are troubling: “He’ll miss just a few weeks.” The hope is he might get better in time for the house assembly with Metropolis, although that continues to be finely balanced.
Havertz absence provides to attacking considerations
Kai Havertz’s knee downside additional complicates issues. Having undergone minor surgical procedure, he faces what Arteta described as “many, many weeks” on the sidelines. Havertz endured a disrupted marketing campaign final season with a severe hamstring tear, and Arsenal shall be determined to not see historical past repeat itself. A possible return in November appears essentially the most sensible situation.
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Blended information elsewhere
There are glimmers of encouragement. Captain Martin Ødegaard returned at Anfield after a shoulder criticism and featured for Norway in the course of the worldwide break. Ben White, who missed current video games with a knock, is pushing to characteristic in opposition to Nottingham Forest this weekend. In the meantime, Christian Nørgaard and Gabriel Jesus stay longer-term absentees, although the Brazilian striker is making progress following cruciate ligament surgical procedure in January.
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Essential weeks forward
Arsenal’s schedule gives little respite. Forest, Metropolis and Newcastle loom within the league, with a Champions League opener away at Athletic Membership on the horizon. These are fixtures the place momentum is cast or misplaced. Arteta shall be hoping his squad can stand up to the load of accidents lengthy sufficient for reinforcements to return.