Arsenal have launched a review into their injury crisis, with manager Mikel Arteta bringing in a trusted ally to investigate the club's alarming injury record. The Gunners have been hit hard by injuries this season, with key players spending significant time on the sidelines.
Ahead of Saturday's crucial Premier League clash against Fulham, Arsenal will be without Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, while captain Martin Odegaard is also a doubt. According to Transfermarkt, Arsenal players have missed a combined 262 matches this season due to injuries.
Arteta has invited Spanish physio Joaquin Acedo, a close friend, to conduct a review at the London Colney training ground. Acedo, based in Cadiz, has become a regular presence this season after being invited in last season. The Telegraph reports tension behind the scenes over the injury record.
Kai Havertz has been particularly affected, missing seven or eight months with groin, knee, and hamstring problems. Arteta said: 'He's been a huge miss. We're talking about one of the most important attacking players that we have.' The manager added: 'The team has shown an incredible capacity to overcome these kinds of scenarios and still be very competitive.'
Arteta has acknowledged the issue, stating: 'Some of them have been long-term and acute injuries... It’s something that we are constantly looking at. We have played a lot of games with a lot of players missing. That creates a lot of stress and then more injuries.'
