Since January and the winter transfer window, which seen an amazing amount of Arsenal players go out on loan, and of course Pierre Emerick Aubameyang taking himself off to Barcelona on his own accord, Mikel Arteta has been left with a wafer thin squad.
We suffered the most when we lost Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey in the same week, which led us to losing three games in a row. Last week we were blessed with getting Takehero Tomiyasu back to the fold, but we had big worries about Bukayo Saka’s fitness after he was taken off during the Man United win.
Luckily he recovered enough to start today, and we also saw Tomiyasu start for just the third time this year, but despite our hard-fought win at West Ham, we were dismayed to see both players taken off injured yet again, with the danger that they both might miss the crucial games coming up in the race for the Top Four.
But thankfully Mikel Arteta took time to reassure the fans after the game that both of our stars were not seriously injured, but we are also waiting to hear if Ben White has recovered from his hamstring injury, although Rob Holding was a more than adequate replacement in today’s match.
Arteta told Arsenal.com: “Ben got injured against Manchester United, he felt a muscular problem and we checked him, and we will have to access him in the next few days to see how he is.”
The boss was much more upbeat about the situation with Saka. He said: “Bukayo was fine, he was really fatigued and he has been through a little injury as well.”
So that sounds like he will be okay with a whole week to recover in front of him. And on Tomi, he was certain it wasn’t a big problem either. “Tomiyasu has just that he had been out for so long and could not continue.”
Obviously after Tomi being out for so long, his injury was more of a worry, but when pressed, Arteta said simply: “No, hopefully, he’s fine.”
So good news all round. Now bring on Leeds!
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Video – Mikel Arteta Talks about Arsenal’s massive win over West Ham, injuries and the team’s “character”
I am quite worried for Saka. We need him to be fit considering that we are in run for top4, but the amount of time he has been made to return to the starting line up after being reported to be injured is quite worrisome..
He has the most number of games in the squad and second most minutes. When he didn’t even featured in the first 3 games of the season and yet he has the number of matches..
Hopefully it won’t backfired
Hoping it’s more a precautionary thing than anything else.
We must improve the squad with quality additions, think Saka could do with a little rest he is just twenty and we don’t want to be guilty of overplaying him even he has gone through a knock.
Strongly believe his best years are ahead
Great news!!!!!!
Did Saka really have to play against a tired and undermanned West ham? Smith Rowe could have started and the manager could have been a bit more ambitious in how he set the team up. He got away with it but hopefully it won’t cause long term damage regarding the much in demand Saka’s physical and mental state.
Pepe, Esr or Lacca could have slotted in but hopefully he is ok and no harm done.
ESR seems to have a fitness issue, he rarely plays 90 minutes. Arteta mentioned before in a conference. I am not sure what is the problem.
But he started being benched while being top scorer and almost the only scorer.
Pepe or Lokonga could have came earlier or one of the young players.
Leeds are being talked about as if they’re a pushover but we all know that sides in the drop zone (who are not yet relegated) are difficult. As Chelski found out today with Everton.
Take Leeds seriously!!! Games are not decided on form or history.
And even teams with nothing much to play for can be free to express themselves… remember Brighton, Southampton, Palace…?
Cannot agree more, they have a super motive and a bunch of good players.