For Mikel Arteta, this latest burst of injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time. Just when it looked like things were coming together as players returned in defiant style for the 5-1 win over Crystal Palace, more have dropped out.
None more significant than Bukayo Saka, who hobbled off with a hamstring issue. Fortunately for Arsenal, the attack at Selhurst Park, boosted by Gabriel Jesus’ fine Palace-battering week continuing, it didn’t impact the performance or result in south London.
However, bigger tests lie on the horizon. A visit of lowly Ipswich Town is not quite the daunting prospect it could have been if Kieran McKenna’s side had managed to make more of their competitive spirit so far this season, but the matches beyond that are a step up.
Arsenal face the home kings Brentford before a trip to Brighton, Carabao Cup semi-final first leg commitments against Newcastle, FA Cup action with Manchester United, and then Tottenham and Aston Villa to visit as well. Saka, it seems, is going to be out for all of this.
“It’s not looking good,” Arteta said when asked about Saka earlier this week. “He’s going to be out for many weeks.” That leaves plenty to be picked up by the remaining forwards.
When it comes to Premier League output, though, only Kai Havertz is even close to Saka so far. He has six goals and two assists so far – compared to the team-leading numbers for Saka or five goals but 10 assists – with Gabriel Martinelli’s six combined the next best. After him it’s the set-piece threat of Gabriel Magalhaes.
