The international break is officially over for all of the Arsenal players out on international break.
Unfortunately, this was not a break that didn’t come with some ill-timed injuries.
Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi and Piero Hincapie all returned to the Arsenal training center with some form of malady that required immediate attention. Whether or not these injuries prevent these players from taking the pitch in Southampton on Saturday remains a question mark for Mikel Arteta.
What really sucks is that these injuries took place in friendlies, or games that had no meaning to the national teams. As Arsenal prepares for a difficult run-in of fixtures in three competitions, the timing couldn’t be worse.
Unfortunately, the competition on Saturday is Championship side Southampton, who recently found form and remain unbeaten in their last 14 matches. So, obviously, this will not be a just show-up and win match for the Gunners.
I am sure this will be adjusted prior to Saturday, but at this point, this is my crrent proejcted line-up for Saturday…
[4-3-3]
Martinelli, Jesus, Dowman
Norgaard, Havertz, Lewis-Skelly
Calafiori, Mosquera, White, Timber
Kepa
The Gunners current injury list includes the four previously mentioned, plus 7 more.
This is not a great time in the season to have as many injuuries as the club has, but one must go on. It’s now Next Man Up!
Gunner1953