Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, has expressed concern over the club's growing injury list. This comes as a potential threat to their pursuit of silverware this season. The Gunners have been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, leaving them vulnerable in crucial upcoming matches.
Despite the injury setbacks, Arsenal managed to secure their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with an impressive 4-0 victory over League One side Wigan at Emirates Stadium. However, this triumph was overshadowed by further injury concerns.
Riccardo Calafiori was unable to start due to an injury sustained during warm-up while Ben White had to be substituted off in the second half. Captain Martin Odegaard did not feature at all following a knock he picked up during Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Brentford on Thursday.
Key players sidelined
The team is set for more challenges as Kai Havertz is expected to be absent for at least the remainder of this month and Mikel Merino will likely miss out on the rest of the season after undergoing foot surgery.
When asked about his dwindling squad depth due to these injuries, Arteta acknowledged his worries.
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, said:
"Yes. Before it was strikers, then it was defenders and now it is midfielders [getting injured]."
"We are coping with that. But we need some players back and fit, not only for numbers but different options in relation to the opponents we have, so the quicker they are back the better."
Arsenal currently sits four points clear at top of Premier League table and will face Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday before a crucial north London derby against Tottenham next weekend. Despite their mounting injuries woes they managed an emphatic win which saw Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli score along with Jack Hunt’s own goal and Gabriel Jesus finding net within first-half minutes.
This victory keeps alive their outside chance of completing an unprecedented quadruple - winning four major trophies in a single season. As the Gunners navigate through these challenges and prepare for upcoming fixtures, it remains to be seen how they will manage their squad and maintain their momentum amidst the injury crisis.
