No Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka or William Saliba – How injury-hit Arsenal could form vs Bournemouth.
As Arsenal’s injury concerns increase, Mikel Arteta may be required to play in a greater number of games.
The Gunners are preparing to play Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, a match that will be broadcast exclusively on talkSPORT, without a number of important players.
Arteta told the media on Friday that Declan Rice, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard were questionable for the match because they had not trained this week.
William Saliba and Fabio Vieira are also questionable for the match against the Cherries due to their own injuries.
In his press conference, he stated, “Declan has not yet trained; we have a session in an hour, so we’ll learn more about him then.
“Gabi [Martinelli] hasn’t trained, Leo same circumstance, Saka, same.
“They are all in the same pool, Willy suffered an injury, and Fabio was not involved. We must evaluate them immediately.”
Arteta added, in reference to Saliba and Fabio Vieira, “Let’s see how everyone is doing today.
“They were not chosen, as they were deemed insufficiently fit to be included in the Carabao Cup match against Brentford.” That is all.
“I hope everyone is healthy and available. We require them.”
While some of the aforementioned players could participate, Arteta has significantly fewer options for the trip to the south coast.
David Raya will presumably start ahead of Aaron Ramsdale, with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Ben White remaining in the back line as well.
Arteta could use Takehiro Tomiyasu in central defense if Saliba is ruled out, as he did against the Bees in the Carabao Cup, given that White is regarded as Arsenal’s primary right-back.
Jorginho and Reiss Nelson also excelled against the Bees, as did Emile Smith Rowe, a player who Darren Bent believes merits a run in the starting lineup given Kai Havertz’s dismal form.
On talkSPORT Drive, he stated, “I don’t get it, and Arteta’s recent statement that Smith Rowe must prove he can play at this level actually irritated me.” What?
“It’s almost as if Arteta has a poor memory. Listen, I adore Arteta as a manager, but I believe his position was in jeopardy as early as the 2021/22 season.
“He was having some difficulty, and who were the two who helped him? That season, he scored ten Premier League goals with Saka and Smith Rowe.
“The following season he had injuries, and he’s been injury-prone ever since, but to see if he can play at this level is insane. “If you ask me who I’d rather play, Havertz or Smith Rowe, I’d choose Smith Rowe every day of the week.
Given the significance of Saka and Martinelli, Arsenal will need players who can make an impact against Bournemouth. As a result, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah will likely be called upon in the final third as the Gunners look to earn three more crucial points.
No Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka or William Saliba – How injury-hit Arsenal could form vs Bournemouth.