Mikel Arteta given Arsenal squad dilemma for Brentford…

Mikel Arteta given Arsenal squad dilemma for Brentford with Man City clash looming

Arsenal face a crucial week in their Premier League season as they welcome Brentford to Emirates Stadium before taking on Manchester City five days later. Mikel Arteta's men are unbeaten in the league on their own patch this season and six points gained from their next two outings would significantly help the Gunners in their title battle with City.

For just the second time this season, Arsenal lost a Premier League fixture with James Tarkowski scoring the only goal of the game to register Sean Dyche's first win as Everton boss. The Gunners only other league defeat came against Manchester United with Arteta's side then going on an eight-game winning run in all competitions.

Leandro Trossard, Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior all joined the club in the January transfer window to help bolster the squad with Arteta suffering with a lack of depth in all three positions.

In the clash with Everton, a consistent trend was broken by Arteta where several surprising substitutions were made that may now become commonplace given the resources the Spaniard has. For the first time this season, after starting all 20 league games, Gabriel Martinelli was subbed off before the hour mark with Thomas Partey joining him in being withdrawn.

Trossard was introduced to make his third appearance since signing from Brighton while it was an Arsenal debut for Jorginho. Injuries in the two positions that duo play look set to impact the first-team less now they have been brought in, but there are still a number of injury concerns and issues that remain in north London.

In comparison to other clubs towards the top of the Premier League table, Arteta and Arsenal have been quite fortunate regarding long-term injury absences for key players. Liverpool and Chelsea particularly have had their seasons derailed significantly by injuries all across the pitch, while Manchester United and Tottenham face a defining few weeks after several of their important first-team players suffered long-term issues.

Of course though it would be naive to not mention Emile Smith Rowe or Gabriel Jesus who have both been out for a number of months at least. Eddie Nketiah has filled Jesus' role admirably, while Martinelli now looks set to be handed some needed rest with Trossard coming in and Smith Rowe gradually working his way back.

Mohamed Elneny looks set to be out for a lengthy spell while Reiss Nelson is back in training and therefore eyeing up a matchday squad return. With a key clash against their title rivals on the horizon, rests for important players who have played considerable minutes this season could be on the agenda