Arsenal must quickly regroup following their disappointing 0-0 draw with Everton, which saw them drop more points in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners missed a golden opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool, who had drawn 2-2 with Fulham earlier that day.
With the pressure mounting, Mikel Arteta’s team cannot afford to dwell on the result for long, as they face a crucial double-header against Crystal Palace in the coming days.
Arsenal will first meet the Eagles at home on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, followed by a visit to Selhurst Park on Saturday for their final match before Christmas.
A failure to win either of these fixtures would be a major blow for Arteta, whose squad has struggled with consistency throughout the season.
With games coming thick and fast, having a fully fit squad will be vital for success. Here’s an update on the current injury situation at Arsenal:
Declan Rice
Arsenal were dealt a setback in their match against Everton when Declan Rice had to leave the field due to a knock.
Arteta revealed that Rice had been managing a minor issue in the previous week and requested to be substituted when he started feeling discomfort.
The situation will be assessed carefully, but as of now, Rice’s return date is uncertain.
Riccardo Calafiori
The Italian international has missed Arsenal’s last three matches due to a groin injury.
However, Arteta shared a positive update ahead of the Everton match, stating that while Calafiori is not fully fit yet, he is making good progress and should be ready soon.
The medical team is monitoring his recovery, and he could return in December 2024.
Ben White
White underwent minor knee surgery in November, which Arteta described as successful.
While there has been no reaction to the procedure and the player is improving daily, Arsenal are taking a cautious approach.
The recovery timeline suggests that White will be out for the next four to six weeks to avoid placing stress on his knee, and his exact return date is still unknown.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Zinchenko has missed Arsenal’s last three games due to a muscle injury.
Arteta noted the team’s struggles with injuries, particularly the challenge of being without multiple left full-backs, including Zinchenko.
There is no clear return date for the Ukrainian, and his situation remains uncertain.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Tomiyasu has had a difficult season so far, having played just six minutes due to a setback in his recovery from a knee injury sustained in October.
His return remains unclear, and Arsenal will continue to monitor his progress as they await his recovery.
As the team faces a critical period with important fixtures ahead, Arteta will need to navigate these injury concerns carefully to maintain momentum and ensure Arsenal remains competitive in all competitions.
