Summary:
- A number of injuries currently sideline Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães, Jurrien Timber, Ben White, and Riccardo Calafiori.
- Mikel Arteta is looking for solutions ahead of next week’s game with Real Madrid.
- Bukayo Saka ended his long absence with Tuesday’s goal against Fulham, which ended 2-1 for Arteta’s team.
Mikel Arteta is facing a selection nightmare as Arsenal’s injury list continues to grow just days before their Champions League quarter-final showdown with Real Madrid.
At the moment, no less than four key defenders are riddled with various injuries, just ahead of the upcoming Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid scheduled for next week.
Arteta: “It’s Been Like This the Whole Season”
While Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Fulham brought a welcome boost with Bukayo Saka’s goalscoring return, it also saw Gabriel Magalhães limp off with a suspected hamstring injury just 16 minutes into the match.
Gabriel’s injury occurred while he was sprinting back toward his own goal, grimacing as he clutched the back of his right leg before being replaced by Jakub Kiwior.
Arteta later admitted,
Gabi felt something in his hamstring. We don’t know how big that is.
Jurrien Timber, struggling from the start, also suffered an injury and eventually had to come off, adding to Arsenal’s growing defensive concerns.
Ben White was sidelined due to an injury suffered in training, while Riccardo Calafiori had been ruled out ahead of the Fulham match. Long-term absentee Takehiro Tomiyasu remains out.
Arteta acknowledged the challenge of maintaining momentum despite the defensive setbacks:
The good thing is that it’s been like this the whole season. How we have managed to be where we are with all those injuries… Ben White hasn’t participated at all this season. It’s what it is. We’ve lost four players in the defensive line in one week.
Gabriel Could Be Out for Three Weeks
Arsenal pray Gabriel’s injury isn’t severe, as even a minor hamstring strain could sideline him for two to three weeks, just enough to miss both legs against Real Madrid.
If it’s a serious tear, the 27-year-old Brazilian could miss months, just like Saka and Havertz did earlier this season.
On the bright side, Saka’s return to action after 101 days was a good omen. The 23-year-old Londoner managed to net a goal just seven minutes after coming off the bench.
Arteta commented,
I think a beautiful moment to see how much our people love, respect and admire Bukayo. I think he lifted the stadium, the energy, and great to have him back.
With crucial fixtures against Everton, Brentford, and Real Madrid looming, Arsenal will need all the firepower they can get to offset their defensive struggles.
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