Arteta states that Arsenal, affected by injuries, ‘require some players to return’
Mikel Arteta acknowledged that an increasing number of injuries could make Arsenal susceptible in their quest for trophies this season.
Arsenal secured their advancement to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a commanding 4-0 victory over League One’s Wigan at the Emirates.
However, Riccardo Calafiori sustained an injury during the warm-up and was unable to participate, while Ben White had to leave the field in the second half.
Captain Martin Odegaard did not play at all after picking up a knock in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Brentford on Thursday.
Kai Havertz is expected to be sidelined for at least the remainder of the month, and Mikel Merino is likely to miss the rest of the season following foot surgery.
When asked if he was concerned about the thinning of his squad, Arteta responded: “Yes. Initially, it was the strikers, then the defenders, and now it is the midfielders [who are getting injured].
“We are managing that. However, we need some players to return and be fit, not just for numbers but to provide different options depending on our opponents, so the sooner they are back, the better.”
Arsenal, currently four points ahead at the top of the Premier League, will face Wolves at Molineux on Wednesday before a crucial north London derby against Tottenham next weekend.
In this match, they advanced to the fifth round, maintaining their slim chance of achieving an unprecedented quadruple. Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Jack Hunt with an own goal, and Gabriel Jesus all scored within a span of 17 minutes in the first half.
Eberechi Eze, a £68 million ($92.6 million) high-profile signing from Crystal Palace, has faced scrutiny regarding his performance this season and was substituted at halftime during Arsenal’s draw at Brentford—his first league start in two months.
Nonetheless, on Sunday, he provided assists for Arsenal’s first two goals, and Arteta remarked: “Those players require those moments, particularly the creative ones, as they need to feel they are contributing. I am very pleased with that. For the team’s morale and confidence, it is quite beneficial.
“The risks he took in the attacking third and the number of shots he attempted were very encouraging, and that is what we expect from him. He is already playing a significant role. He has participated in many matches for us, and he will continue to do so.”
To Wigan’s credit, who are currently without a manager, they managed to avoid an even larger defeat, a round after Manchester City scored 10 against Exeter.
Assistant coach Graham Barrow stated: “It can happen. Manchester City [demonstrated in the last round] that they can do it to anyone, and City and Arsenal are the two teams you want to avoid in this situation.
“You hope for a favorable draw, but I always said to be cautious about what you wish for, and we witnessed that today. It was probably a relief at the end that the players demonstrated their capabilities in the second half.”
