Injuries can pose significant challenges for a team, affecting their ability to achieve desired goals. They can disrupt a manager’s plans and have long-term consequences for athletes’ careers. Both Arsenal and Manchester United have experienced their fair share of injury woes at the start of the season. Just a week ago, Manchester United was grappling with more than eight injuries, highlighting the toll injuries can take on a team’s squad depth and overall performance.
Arsenal, too, has had its share of injuries affecting key first-team players. The situation has worsened for Mikel Arteta’s team as Bukayo Saka, a top player for Arsenal, has joined the injury list following their North London clash with Tottenham.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gives update on Bukayo Saka’s injury
Mikel Arteta has expressed worrying concerns about Bukayo Saka’s availability for their Carabao clash on Wednesday and their trip to Bournemouth on Saturday.
Bukayo Saka had to leave the field with a limp during the closing stages of Arsenal’s exciting 2-2 draw against arch-rivals Tottenham in the North London Derby on Sunday. During his press conference on Tuesday, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was asked to provide an update on Saka’s condition and addressed the reporters’ queries.
“He was limping quite badly after the match. We had to get him off the field. He hasn’t been able to participate in the session. It’s a possibility (he could miss the Bournemouth game).”
Arsenal has a crucial knockout match against a strong Brentford opponent this Wednesday, but unfortunately, they will not travel with a number of first-team starters, including the £100 million Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Thomas Partey and now Bukayo Saka.
“Declan hasn’t trained yet. Obviously, he could not carry on in the game; he wasn’t comfortable at all.”, Arteta briefed.
“Hopefully, it’s not something big. We are confident. He’s still uncomfortable. Obviously, he had to leave the pitch, and that’s never a good sign for a player like him, but hopefully, he will progress in the next few days. It’s a tough one.”
“Leandro won’t be available for tomorrow. Let’s see day by day how he improves and whether he’s got a chance for the weekend or not.”
“He did some activity, and that’s where he felt it. He wasn’t comfortable carrying on the session the day before the game, and he hasn’t trained yet, so not available for tomorrow,” he concluded.
Arsenal’s list of injuries continues to grow with Bukayo Saka’s injury
Arsenal has a long list of injured players on their hands. The club was struck early at the start of the season with Jurrien Timber’s injury. Thereafter, they admitted more of their starters to the ‘clinic’ with Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard all injured.
Joining the list recently was Bukayo Saka, who sustained an injury during the Tottenham game. Nowe Mikel Arteta has admitted that the English professional will not only miss the Carabao clash on Wednesday, but he may also miss the Premier League match on Saturday.
Speaking further on Arsenal’s injury situation, Arteta said, “He’s still unavailable. It’s a long list! Still not. The same with Jurrien [Timber]. It’s the situation that we have at the moment we have to adapt. The squad we have at the moment is really short, and we have to cope.”
What are your thoughts on Arsenal’s injury ridden squad? Share with us in the comments.
