“We Need Players” – Arteta Worried About Growing Injury List

Mikel Arteta feels the squad is light…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta expressed his concern at his growing injury list following our 2-0 win against Brighton on Sunday which saw us return to the summit of the Premier League.

Goals from Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz gave the Gunners a much-deserved three points and while Arteta was able to name an unchanged side, the substitute bench looked rather thin.

We lost Mohamed Elneny and Jorginho from the Champions League tie against PSV earlier this week, with the latter said to be struggling with a ‘foot problem.’

Jorginho misses out on today's squad due to a foot problem.

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 17, 2023

Arteta also confirmed rumours circulating before the game that a sickness bug did indeed hit the squad this week with several players affected.

Gabriel Martinelli missed the game in Holland due to sickness and it seems others were struggling against Brighton – though they certainly didn’t show it.

“Regarding [illness] we have some issues in the camp,” Arteta said in his post-match press conference.

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“With Jorginho as well, we have another issue, so we have five or six now. We need players.”

Thomas Partey is still sidelined following his muscular injury in October, leaving Declan Rice as the only available midfielder who’s able to anchor the team.

While Arteta will want his injured defenders and midfielders to return as soon as possible, it’s interesting that we’re numerically well-stocked in the forward line – though their output is lacking this season.

Scoring just twice from 26 shots at Brighton’s goal – given the quality of the chances – exposes our need for answers at the top end of the pitch if we’re to last the course.