Mikel Arteta will be without Kieran Tierney for the rest of the season whilst Takehiro Tomiyasu will be unavailable for at least the next two games and join full training after the trip to Southampton. Thomas Partey is to be assessed ahead of the weekend, but the vagueness of the update will not encourage Arsenal supporters.
The defeat to Crystal Palace yesterday was arguably the second worst thing about the awful night. The news of the Arsenal squad being depleted by the absence of Tierney followed by Partey’s issue is a huge blow.
Especially considering that Nuno Tavares who replaced Tierney was very poor in his stead. Cedric Soares has deputised for a number of weeks in Tomiyasu’s stead; however, the Japanese international’s disciplined style would have been the perfect foil to Tavares’ defensive deficiencies.
READ MORE: Kieran Tierney’s replacement scores as Arsenal face Crystal Palace with injury worries growing
The reaction from the fan base however was mixed. Some were clearly very downhearted at the news and even going as far as to say that the race for top four is done.
@Jacksonafc35: We thought we will finally play UCL again after all of these hard work but it's all over. We are actually finished. This lack of squad depth and insufficient quality bench players will affect us. Kroenke doesn't want to spend and reduce wage bill of the team but want all profits.
@RicoSWorld81: It's a rap for our top four chances if Partey is out for an extended period
@Balxgun: We’re finished
@AFCEA7: Well that’s season done.
However, the defiant nature of many other supporters continued to shine through. It was evident after the match that the majority of the Arsenal support remain very much behind Mikel Arteta and his side and that even showed on the social feeds.
@ArminImamovic6: Nothing but another obstacle. Get well soon the boys. Let’s now back the team and the manager to get as much as we can with what we have until the end of the season. COYG!!!
@LoveBerg10kamp: People were reacting as though our season ended when Tomi got injured, Cedric came in and did well, same with Nuno before the Liverpool game. Nuno is suffering from a lack of confidence atm but I have no doubt he’ll do well now he’ll continually play games. Big chance for Nuno
The hope will be that if Partey is unavailable that Albert Sambi Lokonga can find the form that cemented his place in the Arsenal team during the first half of the season. From his short cameo at Selhurst Park, however, there are positive signs that this could indeed happen.
Arsenal will be thankful that their next two games are against sides they should be confident of picking up maximum points. Brighton visit the Emirates on Saturday before Arsenal travel to Southampton a week later.
After, Arteta may have both Partey and Tomiyasu back as a run of three fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham unfolds over 12 days. These next five games will determine whether the Gunners will remain in a top-four chase or if they are fighting to remain in the European places.
