Arsenal’s Dilemmas Multiply: Six Doubts and Martinelli‘s Liverpool Conundrum Ahead of Brighton
Following the conclusion of their Champions League group stage campaign this week, Arsenal will now fully concentrate on the Premier League title race. After a 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday, the Gunners could return to London without any new injury worries.
Supporters criticized Mikel Arteta for his unwillingness to rest all of his main players and provide starting positions to players like Lino Sousa, Reuell Walters, and Ethan Nwaneri in the Netherlands.
On the listed team, there was, nevertheless, rotation. Rare full-back starts went to Jakub Kiwior and Cedric Soares, with Mohamed Elneny partnering Jorginho in the midfield. The preferred front three of Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli, were all rested since Reiss Nelson, Leandro Trossard, and Eddie Nketiah all started in attack.
The much-needed break arrives just in time for the Gunners, who are now leading Manchester City and Liverpool in the league. The North Londoners’ next match is on Sunday against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Since this is the first of four Premier League games until 2024, Arteta will be more dependent than ever on the depth of his squad to perform well. Luckily for the Spaniard, Emile Smith Rowe returned to play during the middle of the week.
This week, the Hale End alumnus resumed team training and played seven minutes against PSV. After battling for eighteen months, Smith Rowe will be hoping that his injury troubles are history.
“I think what he’s been through is part of the experience that 90% of footballers have to go through, which is difficulties, injuries, setbacks and different types of performances now,” Arteta told the media on Monday.
“All of that is now in his bag. He will improve as a player significantly if he can make effective use of that. I haven’t seen him do his rehab in a manner similar to this one before. You can also see how his teammates responded to his return, which was quite encouraging. The sooner we can offer him opportunities, the better off we’ll be.”
Additionally, Arsenal will be hopeful that Takehiro Tomiyasu’s calf injury recovery goes well. The right-back injured himself against Wolves and will be out for at least a month, which leaves the Gunners lacking a defensive lineman.
But Elneny’s injury in the Netherlands presents Arteta with a challenge. The Egypt international, making his first appearance since the 2-0 victory over Sevilla, was taken off the pitch with a knock.
After the game, Arteta remarked, “He felt something.” “The extent is unknown to us. It has been a while.”
Ultimately, Martinelli’s return to the team on Sunday will be something Arsenal is praying for. Football.london understands that the Brazil international missed Monday’s first-team practise due to illness and was not included in the squad for Tuesday’s game.
But there’s always the big game at Anfield the next Saturday to consider. Even though Martinelli isn’t hurt, playing while ill could hinder his recuperation for the crucial game on Sunday.
It is anticipated that Fabio Vieira, Thomas Partey, and Jurrien Timber won’t return until 2024.
