Arteta Expresses Quadruple Fears as Arsenal Midfield Injury Crisis Deepens
Mikel Arteta has openly admitted his growing concern that Arsenal's ambitious bid for an historic quadruple could be derailed by a severe injury crisis now striking the heart of his midfield. The Gunners manager was forced into a significant tactical reshuffle during their recent FA Cup victory over Wigan, deploying winger Bukayo Saka in a central midfield role due to mounting absences.
Key Players Sidelined as Squad Depth Tested
Club captain Martin Odegaard missed the cup tie after picking up a knock during Arsenal's Premier League draw against Brentford. He now joins fellow midfielders Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino on the treatment table, significantly depleting Arteta's options in a crucial area of the pitch. 'Yes, and especially because we are going through...before it was the strikers, then it was the defenders, now it's the midfielders,' said Arteta when questioned about his squad's thinning resources.
The timing of these injuries is particularly problematic with Arsenal competing on all four fronts this season. The North London club currently leads the Premier League title race, has secured a place in the League Cup final, and successfully topped their Champions League group. 'We are still coping with that but we need some players back and fit and to give us as well not only numbers but different options in relation to the opponents that we have, so the quicker the better,' the manager added, emphasising the urgency of the situation.
Forced Adaptations and Tactical Experiments
Arteta revealed that his initial plan to field academy prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly in midfield against Wigan was scrapped due to a late injury to defender Riccardo Calafiori, forcing the unexpected deployment of Saka. Regarding Odegaard's specific situation, Arteta stated, 'Martin we'll have to wait and see. He picked that knock on the action when we conceded the goal [against Brentford] and he wasn't fit for today.'
The Spanish coach acknowledged that using Saka in a central role might become a more frequent necessity. 'I wanted to try it and we might use it in the future,' he explained. 'We still have so many games, competitions and different scenarios to play in this season, and that's a possibility that we have.' Arteta praised Saka's adaptability, noting, 'He's more central, he's closer to the goal. It's a bit more difficult for the opponent to get his reference constantly. He can interchange position with the wide player as well, and he's so good at picking those spaces, and when he's there, he can really hurt you with the ball.'
Further Injury Concerns and Positive Performances
The injury woes extended beyond midfield, with defender Ben White also being substituted due to a problem that Arteta confirmed would require assessment. However, there were positive notes from the Brentford match, where Eberechi Eze responded impressively to being substituted at half-time by providing two stunning assists for Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli.
Arteta expressed his satisfaction with Eze's proactive approach. 'I think the risks he took in the final third, the amount of shots that he tried to take as well, I think that's really positive,' he said. 'That's what I want from him. Those players need those moments and, especially when we talk about the creative players, they need to feel that they are producing those moments. I'm very happy with that.'
The manager also highlighted Martinelli's contribution, stating, 'I'm very happy with Gabi (Martinelli) as well, the run that he made, the timing of that and then the finish in action, is really, really positive. So, it's good for the mood, for the confidence.' Despite these individual bright spots, the overarching narrative remains one of concern as Arsenal's squad faces a stern test of its resilience during the most critical phase of the season.
