Mikel Arteta has confirmed that one Arsenal star has suffered a fresh fitness issue ahead of Champions League clash with Slavia Prague
Arsenal stars - Raya, Odegaard, Madueke, Ben White, Konsa, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze
Arsenal stars - Raya, Odegaard, Madueke, Ben White, Konsa, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze
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Arsenal have dealt with a steady run of injury problems since the start of the season.
William Saliba has yet to play this term after aggravating a back injury at the World Cup, and Bukayo Saka is sidelined with a thigh injury suffered in the Champions League draw at Bayern Munich on October 21.
Others have missed games along the way. Christos Tzolis hurt his hamstring on international duty with Greece in early October, while Noni Madueke (ankle) and Riccardo Calafiori (bruised ribs) were added to the list later that month.
There is some good news in Europe. Max Dowman is available for Wednesday’s Champions League league-phase match at Slavia Prague, despite his red card in the Carabao Cup defeat at Fleetwood Town on October 27.
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An independent Regulatory Commission rejected Arsenal’s appeal, dismissing claims of both wrongful dismissal and excessive punishment.
The 16-year-old must serve a three-match domestic ban, covering Premier League games against Liverpool, Hull City and Newcastle United, but the suspension does not apply to European fixtures.
Arsenal still had another fitness concern to manage at Anfield.
Manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that Eberechi Eze is struggling with an unspecified fitness problem.
The England international was not named in the starting XI for Sunday’s Premier League game against Liverpool. He remained an unused substitute as Arsenal won 1-0.
Tzolis started in his place, having not played since his hamstring injury, and lasted 84 minutes.
Kai Havertz scored in the 16th minute from a Declan Rice cross, giving Arsenal their first league win at Anfield since 2012 and a three-point lead at the top of the table.
Arteta explained his decision after the match. “It’s the energy that he had in training,” he said when asked why he picked Tzolis.
“When I asked him the question, how convinced he was. We had an issue with Ebs as well, it was incredible that he was in the squad today.”
The manager also credited the club’s medical staff.
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“I want to give credit to all the medical and performance team. What they are doing with those boys is incredible. Every three days, to keep everybody at this level,” he said.
Arteta added that availability can decide tight games.
“These are the margins sometimes when you win a football match, whether you have somebody available or not. They deserve that credit.”
Eze, 28, has two goals and one assist in 12 appearances in all competitions this season, both goals came in the Champions League, against Lille and Bayern Munich.
Arteta did not give further details of the problem.
Tzolis was one of four players to recover in time for Liverpool. Rice, Madueke and Calafiori also overcame minor knocks to be available.
Slavia Prague - Tomas Chory
Slavia Prague - Tomas Chory
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