Arsenal are currently grappling with a significant injury crisis, which has seen several key players sidelined.
Despite these setbacks, the Gunners managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory in their recent North London Derby against Tottenham.
Players like Kieran Tierney, Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mikel Merino, and Riccardo Calafiori were all unavailable for the match.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side overcame these obstacles, much to the satisfaction of their manager, who praised his team’s resilience and determination to adapt under difficult circumstances.
Reflecting on the game, Arteta acknowledged the challenges the team faced due to the numerous injuries but expressed pride in how his squad responded.
“We suffered because we had to adapt the plan because of the players that we had available,” Arteta remarked. “But I loved it.
The second we started to get that news, the team got hungrier and hungrier to play that game.”
He continued to commend the entire club for stepping up, emphasizing that rather than looking for excuses, the players faced the challenge head-on with courage and determination, ultimately securing the vital win over their local rivals.
Despite the win, Arteta is well aware that more challenging tests are looming on the horizon.
Arsenal are set to face Manchester City in a crucial Premier League clash, a match that could have significant implications in the race for the league title.
Before that, the Gunners will kick off their Champions League campaign with a tough away fixture against Atalanta, the reigning Europa League champions.
While Arsenal are favored, Arteta will be mindful of Atalanta’s ability to upset stronger sides, having previously beaten the likes of Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen in last season’s European competition.
As Arsenal prepare for these upcoming challenges, Arteta will need to manage with a depleted squad.
There is some positive news for the Gunners, as Declan Rice is set to return from suspension after missing the Tottenham game.
Rice’s return will likely allow Arsenal to revert to their preferred 4-3-3 formation, as opposed to the 4-2-2-2 setup they were forced to use against Spurs.
However, concerns remain over the availability of other key players. Martin Odegaard remains a major doubt for the Champions League clash against Atalanta.
Arteta has stated that Odegaard’s condition will be assessed closer to the match, but his involvement remains uncertain.
Additionally, Riccardo Calafiori, who sustained a calf injury during international duty, is hopeful of making a return soon, though his availability for the upcoming fixtures is still unclear.
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko also missed the North London Derby due to a calf injury, and Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Mikel Merino are all long-term absentees.
These players are expected to miss both the Atalanta game and the upcoming encounter with Manchester City.
Adding to Arteta’s concerns, Bukayo Saka was substituted late in the match against Tottenham after appearing to suffer an injury, and his condition will also be monitored before Arsenal’s trip to Italy.
With these crucial fixtures ahead, Arteta will need to rely on the depth of his squad, finding new ways to overcome the challenges posed by the mounting injury crisis.
The next few matches will be critical in determining Arsenal’s trajectory this season, especially as they navigate both domestic and European competitions.