West Ham United FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
West Ham United FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League - Source: Getty
Arsenal are reportedly facing a huge injury problem with as many as six players in danger of missing the Manchester United clash. As per Daily Mirror, Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, and Thomas Partey are all facing late fitness tests, while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White have been ruled out.
Mikel Arteta thus has a big issue to solve as he gears up to face Manchester United in a blockbuster Premier League clash on Wednesday, November 4. The Spaniard spoke about central defender Gabriel after their win over West Ham United on Saturday, November 30, and said (via Arsenal's official website):
"It was related to the previous injury that he had in Lisbon and obviously he did great to be part of that but with that result and with the niggle that he’s feeling, we decided to take him off."
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Talking about Calafiori, the manager added:
"Well, he's been with little niggles in the last few weeks. Obviously he had a very serious knee injury and he's doing really well, but we have to manage his minutes and today we have to do the same."
Tomiyasu and White are both nursing knee injuries and are out for the foreseeable future. Merino also has a knee issue while Partey has a muscle injury but the midfield duo are expected to be fit soon.
Arsenal are currently second in the Premier League table, level with third-placed Chelsea, but sit nine points behind leaders Liverpool. Manchester United are ninth right now, with 19 points from their 12 matches, six points fewer than their opponents this midweek.
Mikel Arteta spoke about Arsenal injury issues ahead of Manchester United clash
The media quizzed Mikel Arteta about his decision to call the Arsenal substitutes into the dressing room during halftime. He stated that it was because of injury issues. He claimed that they knew there were forced substitutions to take place and said:
"We had an issue with Gabi, we have an issue with Ricky as well; yesterday, we lost Thomas and Mikel and Myles, which was very bad news, but what I'm really happy about is Jakub has to come in; he does really well. Alex the same, Jorginho, I thought he was exceptional today as well. That’s the level, every three days we’re going to need everybody at their best and it’s a good sign that the team can do that."
Arsenal have won their last three matches in the Premier League against Manchester United. They have a chance to create history on Wednesday as they have never beaten the Red Devils four times in a row.