Arsenal are set to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Wednesday, riding a wave of impressive form but struggling with a slew of injuries.
Since the international break, the Gunners have been on fire, netting 13 goals in consecutive victories over Nottingham Forest, Sporting Lisbon, and West Ham.
With Martin Odegaard back in the lineup and Bukayo Saka in top form, Arsenal have surged to second place in the Premier League table. However, as they prepare to host United, they’re aware that Ruben Amorim has breathed new life into the visiting team.
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United’s 4-0 thrashing of Everton on Sunday, with Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee scoring twice, means they’ll likely arrive in north London brimming with confidence. Furthermore, United might draw encouragement from Arsenal’s injury woes, which could see six key players sidelined.
The most pressing concern for Arsenal is the fitness of central defender Gabriel Magalhaes, who has been substituted in the last two matches. Gabriel scored in the wins over Sporting and West Ham before being taken off.
(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Getty Images)
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Although he was punched in the head by Lukasz Fabianski, earning a penalty on Saturday, Mikel Arteta revealed that it wasn’t concussion protocols that led to his halftime substitution. “It was related to the previous injury he had in Lisbon,” Arteta explained, reports the Mirror.
“Obviously, he did great to be part of that but with that result and with the niggle that he’s feeling, we decided to take him off.”
Arsenal centre-back Gabriel has teased fans that he may be fit to start against Manchester United on Wednesday by posting a message on Instagram that read: “+3 [points] and we continue fighting together! Thanks for your support Gunners! See you on Wednesday!”
(Image: Getty Images)
However, Mikel Arteta still faces a defensive crisis, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White ruled out. Tomiyasu has struggled with a knee injury all season, while White is out for several months after suffering a knee injury last month.
Riccardo Calafiori is also a doubt after being replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko in the 56th minute against West Ham.
Arteta revealed that the Italian has been “dealing with little niggles in the last few weeks”, and with a short turnaround between games, his participation against United is uncertain. In midfield, Mikel Merino and Thomas Partey are also doubts after missing the West Ham win.