Mikel Arteta is facing a defensive nightmare ahead of Arsenal's crucial London derby against West Ham, with three key players racing against time to be fit for Thursday's Emirates Stadium clash.
Injury Trio Cast Doubt Over West Ham Selection
The Gunners' title aspirations could suffer another significant blow as Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu all emerged as major concerns following their recent performances. Arteta now faces anxious waits on multiple fronts with his squad depth set to be severely tested.
Saka's Persistent Fitness Battle
England international Bukayo Saka continues to manage ongoing fitness issues, having been substituted during Sunday's dramatic 2-2 draw with Tottenham. The 22-year-old winger has been carrying knocks throughout the season but has consistently played through the pain barrier for his club.
Arteta admitted: "He's been suffering for a few weeks now with certain issues. We're trying to manage him as best we can, but he wants to play every minute."
Defensive Crisis Looms Large
More worrying for Arsenal supporters is the potential absence of defensive stalwart William Saliba, who was forced off at half-time against Spurs with a toe problem. The French centre-back has been instrumental in Arsenal's backline, with his potential absence creating major concerns ahead of facing West Ham's physical attack.
Meanwhile, Takehiro Tomiyasu faces his own fitness race after missing the North London derby entirely. The versatile defender's absence would further limit Arteta's defensive options, potentially forcing Ben White into an unfamiliar central role.
Arteta's Selection Headache Intensifies
The Arsenal manager now faces critical decisions regarding his team selection, with the West Ham match representing must-win territory if the Gunners hope to keep pace with Manchester City at the Premier League summit.
Potential solutions include:
- Deploying Ben White at centre-back alongside Gabriel Magalhães
- Giving Jakub Kiwior an unexpected start in defence
- Risking Saka from the bench rather than from the start
- Utilising Oleksandr Zinchenko in a more advanced role
With just two days between matches, Arteta has limited time to assess his wounded stars and devise a strategy that can overcome David Moyes' resilient West Ham side.
The injury situation represents a significant test of Arsenal's squad depth and could prove pivotal in their pursuit of Premier League glory this season.
