The Premier League is known to be one of the most physical and difficult leagues in the world. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal is currently facing the wrath of the league as many of his key players have to be taken off the pitch due to injuries.
The 2023–24 season has just started, and the Gunners already have a huge pile of problems in front of them. Mikel Arteta is looking for ways to make things work, but it is clear that the Spaniard did not expect this to happen.
How many Arsenal players are injured now?
Arsenal are having a decent time in the Premier League. They have not lost any of their league matches yet. Out of the six games they played, they won four and drew two. The club currently holds the fifth position on the table with 14 points to their name.
Though their performance is appreciable, Mikel Arteta is still facing issues as the list of injured players keeps growing. Arsenal currently has six players, namely Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, Thomas Partey, and Jurrien Timber, on the bench due to injuries. While some of them could make a return to the pitch soon, others may have to wait a little bit longer.
Center-back Jurrien Timber joined the club this season, making a move from Ajax. The Dutchman was excited to show off his skills but had to be substituted in his debut Premier League match against Nottingham Forest following a knee injury. Wingers Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard sustained hamstring and thigh injuries, respectively, in the match against Everton on September 17. Thomas Partey remains on the sidelines due to a groin injury.
When will Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka potentially come back?
Midielder Declan Rice and winger Bukayo Saka both sustained injuries on September 24 in a match against Tottenham Hotspur. Rice had to be substituted for Jorginho after the former suffered a back injury. Bukayo Saka was taken off the pitch in the dying minute of the game due to the player receiving a foot knock.
Fortunately, Saka’s and Rice’s injuries are not very serious, and they will only miss a few matches. The two were not present in the EFL Cup Round 3 against Brentford on Thursday. Mikel Arteta is not sure if they will be seen on the pitch against Bournemouth.
When asked about Declan Rice, Mikel Arteta said, “We are confident it’s nothing big. He had to leave the pitch, and that’s never a good sign. Hopefully, it will progress in the next few days. He won’t be available. Let’s see if he has a chance or not (for the weekend),”. The 41-year-old also said that Bukayo Saka may also miss his next game against Bournemouth.
Rice and Saka will possibly be back for Arsenal’s next UCL Group Stage match against Lens, but defender Jurrien Timber will remain on the bench until January 2024. Hopefully, Arsenal will find a way to work around these injuries and maintain their position in the league.
