Arsenal have a number of player injuries to navigate as they head into next week’s Premier League clash with Burnley, and a Champions League final on the horizon
Arsenal will head into their final fixtures of the season with a number of significant setbacks to navigate.
The Gunners are incredibly well-placed to win the Premier League title for the first time in more than two decades later this month, five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table with just matches against Burnley and Crystal Palace to come.
However, Mikel Arteta will also have one eye on European glory given his side have also made it to the final of the Champions League. There, they will face Paris Saint-Germain come May 30, with the potential of a coveted double still running high.
While Arteta will have hoped to have a full-strength squad available for selection, the Spaniard could be without a number of key players, as football.london explains below…
Ben White
White’s season is over as a result of a knee injury sustained in the first-half of Arsenal’s Premier League run-out with West Ham on Sunday. The full-back collided with Crysencio Summerville and was swiftly replaced by Martin Zubimendi – Declan Rice covering as a makeshift right-back.
It has now emerged that White has sustained an MCL injury which also looks to have ruled him out of England duty this summer at the World Cup. The 28-year-old was spotted leaving the London Stadium in a knee brace, with Arteta saying at full-time: “We don’t know, but it does not look good at all. He will need testing.”
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A club statement has now revealed the extent of the injury: “Further to Sunday’s match at West Ham United, subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that Ben White has sustained a significant medial knee ligament injury, which will rule him out for the remainder of this season.
“Our medical team are now managing Ben’s recovery and rehabilitation programme, with everyone fully focused on supporting the aim of Ben being ready for the start of our pre-season preparations.”
Potential return date: Next season
Jurrien Timber
Timber has also been sidelined owing to an ankle issue since March, with Arteta facing a significant selection down Arsenal’s home stretch. The Spaniard has also admitted that he is unsure if the Dutch international will feature again this season.
He said: “Yes, that’s been probably the most difficult thing to manage. With the player and with myself as well, because we didn’t expect it to take so long, and at the moment he’s not fit to play.”
Potential return date: Unknown
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Riccardo Calafiori
Calafiori sparked further injury concerns when he was replaced by Cristhian Mosquera at half-time on Sunday. Arteta said after the game: “We had to make another change with Richy.”
There has been no update on how serious the issue is, but it could be a major cause for concern considering the Italian’s injury record – missing 13 matches in total this season.
Potential return date: Unknown
Mikel Merino
Merino is yet to feature for Arsenal since undergoing surgery on a foot injury back in February. Given the midfielder has since returned to individual training, it is thought that he could be available to play a part in the Champions League final against PSG.
Arteta, meanwhile, has refused to commit to a timeframe, explaining: “I don’t know, there’s still a fair bit to do. Everything needs to be so smooth and quick if they want to have a chance to play any minutes.”
Potential return date: May 30 vs PSG
