Arsenal’s mounting harm record was held accountable for one more defeat on Wednesday night because the Gunners have been crushed by Serie A champions Inter within the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta and his gamers will really feel aggrieved to not have come away with at the very least a degree from their 1-0 loss at San Siro, however defeat in Italy ramps up the stress forward of Sunday’s essential journey to Stamford Bridge to face London foes Chelsea within the Premier League.
The Gunners already discover themselves seven factors off desk toppers Liverpool and presently sit beneath Chelsea on objective distinction. Having misplaced two of their final three league matches, they’re in determined want of respite in west London.
Accidents have been a prevailing theme of Arsenal’s season, with Martin Odegaard – who returned from a prolonged layoff towards Inter – amongst these to have resided within the remedy room. The Norwegian’s return is welcomed with heat embrace however the Gunners are nonetheless with out some integral first-teamers.
Right here is the newest Arsenal harm information earlier than Sunday’s assembly with Chelsea.
Odegaard might have returned to motion however Arsenal now discover themselves sweating on the health of their different star midfielder. Declan Rice missed the conflict with Inter midweek because of a foot harm sustained within the defeat to Newcastle United final weekend. He is now a doubt for the Chelsea match.
Talking earlier than the journey to Italy, Arteta acknowledged: “Declan sadly has picked up an harm towards Newcastle. He was capable of end the sport however he wasn’t feeling good in the previous couple of days so we now have to evaluate him on Thursday to grasp whether or not he shall be match or not for the weekend.”
“It was a knock so it is an issue along with his foot. He wasn’t snug with it so in the mean time he is not match.”
Kai Havertz was a casualty of the midweek defeat, sustaining a bloody head harm late within the match and making manner for Odegaard in stoppage time. Nonetheless, Arteta was assured that the German could be accessible for a return to his previous stomping floor this weekend.
“Kai, he has a giant lower. He needed to come off as a result of he wanted some stitches. Hopefully, he shall be OK for the weekend,” mentioned Arteta after the match.
With Raheem Sterling unavailable this weekend to face his father or mother membership, Arteta shall be hoping that the remainder of his forwards are handed match.
Mikel Merino began in Rice’s place in Milan however solely lasted the primary half earlier than being withdrawn. Requested whether or not he was substituted because of harm, Arteta revealed that the Spaniard was “not feeling nice” within the build-up to the match.
“He was not concussed. However yesterday and right now he was already not feeling nice. After, once I checked out him, I made a decision to take him off as a result of I would like him 100%,” admitted the Arsenal boss.
The precise nature of his subject stays unclear however he may very well be accessible this weekend at Stamford Bridge.
Riccardo Calafiori has struggled with accidents since arriving at Arsenal and has been lacking for the Gunners for the reason that 1-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk within the Champions League.
The defender jarred his knee within the win and will not return till after the November worldwide interval, with Arsenal’s first sport after the break coming at dwelling to an in-form Nottingham Forest.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has managed only one look for Arsenal this season – a quick cameo towards Southampton in early October. Accidents have pressured him into the remedy room on a number of events and he presently stays there with a knee subject.
Arteta hasn’t revealed when Tomiyasu might return however he will definitely be unavailable for the journey to Chelsea.
Arsenal’s full-back positions have been decimated by accidents this season and Kieran Tierney is but to go away the remedy desk in 2024/25. Having sustained a hamstring harm at Euro 2024 with Scotland, the out-of-favour left-back was unable to go away the Emirates Stadium as anticipated over the summer time.
No return date has been pencilled in for the 27-year-old, who hasn’t featured for Arsenal for the reason that 2023 Group Protect.