Arsenal are still reeling from some injuries ahead of the AS Monaco game, and this could be an opportunity to bring Kieran Tierney into the fold.
In the last few weeks it appeared like Arsenal were edging back to their best, which also coincided with some key players being available. However, since their last two games, they have missed Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori, meaning there is another big shortage of defenders for the Gunners ahead of the game against AS Monaco on Wednesday night.
During his pre-match press conference, Mikel Arteta acknowledged the fact that many players were missing from training, as captured by the TV cameras during the open session. Gabriel and Calafiori were among those not seen, while Thomas Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Jurrien Timber were absent too.
There are significant doubts about whether Calafiori will play, given it was a knee injury that kept him out of the last few games. Arteta does have other options for the left-back role, although Gabriel might be in line to start, as there were reports that these players have taken part in individual training.
On the injury front, Arteta said, “We have to manage a lot of the players, so they’re probably not going to be fit for tomorrow and are a doubt. I still have 24 hours to make those decisions and hopefully the right ones.”
On how he has been dealing with injuries, Arteta added, “It is what it is. At the end if we have to accept the challenge and its opportunities for other players to do that. In the ideal scenario, we have to be in charge to make those decisions because it’s forcing us to make it for the wrong reasons, but as well, we need to accept the reality and move forwards.”
Arsenal do have two left-backs, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Kieran Tierney, fit and available, although neither was selected to play minutes against Fulham. When pressed about Tierney and whether he could feature, Arteta insisted that the Scottish defender was ready for action.
On Tierney, Arteta continued, “Yeah, he is ready and he’s training really well and he’s going to have an opportunity for sure with the way the team is looking at the moment. It’s for that reason and because he’s earned it as well with the way he’s behaved and the way he’s been with us because he’s willing to do it and when that happens you have to give opportunities to those kind of players.”
Given the injury doubts , Artet will once again have to stretch his resources, and he will be hopeful to have Timber and Gabriel back in action. This game could see Tierney start, helping ease the pressure on the backline. Timber, William Saliba, and Gabriel will complete the back four.
Thomas Partey is expected to start in his regular midfield spot, with the regular starters Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice on either side. Arteta does have options in Jorginho and Mikel Merino, but he will likely persist with his regular midfield trio.
Gabriel Martinelli, who was heavily criticised for his role in the offside goal at the weekend, will start on the left-hand side, replacing Leandro Trossard. Gabriel Jesus is available, although, given the importance of the game, Kai Havertz will continue to lead the line, while Bukayo Saka takes his place on the right side of the frontline.
Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli