Arsenal Injury Crisis are looking to recover after recent setbacks, including a Carabao Cup final defeat to Man City and an FA Cup exit against Southampton. Key injuries are restricting Mikel Arteta’s options ahead of a crucial Champions League clash with Sporting and a Premier League fixture against Bournemouth.
Two defeats in as many games have seen two trophies slip from Arsenal’s grasp. If they hope to challenge for Champions League or Premier League success, a strong response this week is essential. Following the FA Cup loss at Southampton, Arteta urged his squad to demonstrate their resilience—but with numerous players sidelined, his selection choices are severely limited.
During the March international break, eleven Arsenal Injury Crisis players withdrew from national duty, prompting speculation that the squad was conserving energy for club competitions. However, Arteta’s team selection at Southampton and an open training session on Monday suggest the manager is dealing with significant challenges.
Arsenal Injury Crisis Introduction to Arsenal’s Current Situation
With the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Sporting on Tuesday and a tricky Premier League encounter with Bournemouth at the Emirates on Saturday, Arteta may need to explore his squad depth to navigate this critical period.
Goalkeeper
Arteta faced criticism for starting Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final, where a mistake led to City’s opening goal. Despite this, Kepa was selected again at Southampton, where defensive lapses contributed to two goals and an FA Cup exit. First-choice David Raya remained unused in both matches and is expected to return against Sporting and Bournemouth.
Right-back
Ben White’s error allowed Southampton’s first goal on Saturday. White returned to the starting XI following Jurrien Timber’s ankle injury, but Timber is unlikely for the Sporting fixture and may only return against Bournemouth Arsenal Injury Crisis.
Centre-back
Gabriel limped off against Southampton, raising doubts over his availability for Sporting. He had missed Brazil duty with knee issues but returned to full training on Monday. William Saliba, who had also missed France duty, filled in alongside Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori as backup options. The likely pairing for Sporting is Gabriel and Saliba, with Calafiori as cover…Read more
Left-back
Piero Hincapie, Arsenal Injury Crisis’s usual left-back, suffered a hamstring injury with Ecuador and did not feature against Southampton Myles Lewis-Skelly was included in the starting lineup, while Calafiori remained an alternative choice for that role.
Midfield
Declan Rice returns for the Champions League trip after resuming training. Arteta noted that both Rice and Bukayo Saka were “on the edge” during international duty, explaining their absence against Southampton. Martin Zubimendi, Martin Ødegaard, and Christian Norgaard played varying roles, while Eberechi Eze remains sidelined with a calf injury and Mikel Merino is still recovering from foot surgery. Rice may be risked, while Ødegaard and Zubimendi are expected to feature.
Wingers
Saka remains unavailable for Sporting but may return against Bournemouth. Leandro Trossard comes back from a hip issue, boosting Arteta’s options. Max Dowman and Gabriel Martinelli played the full match against Southampton, and Noni Madueke featured off the bench. Madueke and Martinelli could start, with Trossard likely to return.
Attack
Viktor Gyökeres contributed a goal from the bench at Southampton and will be eager to face his former club, Sporting. Kai Havertz is another attacking option, having played a central role at Southampton Arsenal Injury Crisis…Read more
