Arsenal’s 2024-25 Premier League title hopes are under significant strain, with a mounting injury crisis disrupting Mikel Arteta’s plans.
The Gunners find themselves grappling with injury setbacks that have emerged at the worst possible times – often during international breaks.
Trossard Injury Update
The latest blow came when Leandro Trossard sustained an injury while playing for Belgium against Israel.
The forward limped off during the first half, joining a growing list of Arsenal stars sidelined, including Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, both pivotal to the team’s ambitions.
Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco shed some light on Trossard’s situation following his injury during the match against Israel. Speaking post-game, Tedesco highlighted the challenging circumstances his squad faced:
“I believe we had 21 injured players in the previous qualifying stage, and today we lost Leo Trossard and Zeno Debast to injuries,” he said, as quoted by UEFA.
He elaborated on the toll it took on his team:
“We had a team that had never played together, never trained together. We started well, but ultimately, under really difficult circumstances, this is not the result we hoped for, and that’s why we are very disappointed.”
Tedesco also touched on the demanding workload for players, adding:
“The mentality of the players who were here tonight. Some of them played 90 minutes three days ago, and tonight we were more or less obliged to play 90 minutes today also.”
Despite the comments on his team’s struggles, Tedesco provided little specific information regarding Trossard’s injury, leaving Arsenal fans anxiously awaiting updates from the club.
Trossard rarely suffers from injury issues, having missed just one game due to injury during his time in North London — last season’s 2-2 draw with Spurs. His durability has been a key asset for Arteta, making this latest setback all the more concerning.
Arsenal Injury Update: Saka and Odegaard Recovery
Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard has been managing a lingering ankle issue since September, which initially forced him off in tears during a match against Austria.
Though he recently returned to action against Chelsea, the Norwegian revealed that he is still not at full fitness. His decision to withdraw from international duty this week signals a cautious approach to his recovery.
Odegaard explained:
“In this kind of process, you don’t just go from being injured to suddenly being completely healthy. Together with the NFF’s medical team, we’ve agreed that it’s better for me to go back and make a full recovery.”
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka’s withdrawal from England’s squad sparked more concern. Having already missed crucial fixtures due to injuries earlier this season, the Gunners’ talisman is once again a doubt after limping off against Chelsea in Arsenal’s last match.
Although Saka managed to return after his previous injury, these recurring setbacks could force Arteta to reassess how he manages the 23-year-old’s workload.
Arsenal’s Defensive Depth Tested
Arsenal’s injury woes extend beyond the midfield and attack. Defenders Ben White, Ricardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney are also sidelined, stretching Arteta’s defensive options.
With Nottingham Forest boasting an impressive start to their campaign, Arsenal will need all hands on deck to avoid dropping more points when they meet on Saturday.
Arteta has navigated injury crises before, but the sheer volume of absences, combined with their timing, could significantly derail the Gunners’ momentum.
Arsenal are heading into a defining stretch in their season. Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest could set the tone for their title aspirations heading into the winter period.
Fans and Arteta will be hoping for positive news from the club’s medical team as the team attempts to weather this storm.
