Sead Kolasinac and Reiss Nelson will miss Arsenal’s next three games with their respective injury problems, creating issues for the team on the left.

Arsenal confirm both Reiss Nelson and Sead Kolasinac will miss the next few games with injury. It’s a left thigh strain for Kolasinac, whilst Nelson pulled his right hamstring. As we predicted yesterday, they’ll only return after the winter break.

As a result, Arsenal’s left-sided options are as follows: Kolasinac (injured), Nelson (injured), Tierney (injured), Smith Rowe (loaned), Aubameyang (suspended), Saka (available) and Martinelli (available).

There’s a lot of pressure on the two youngest players on the list to perform now. They’re likely both going to have to start against Chelsea and Bournemouth before Aubameyang returns.

Another option is to play Ainsley Maitland-Niles at left-back if Hector Bellerin is fit. Maitland-Niles last started a game at left-back in 2018, so it’s not ideal.

The good news is that the schedule isn’t particularly hectic. Arsenal play on Tuesday, then again on the following Monday, then on Sunday. A six-day break in each case, followed by a two-week winter break.

It’s not impossible for Martinelli and Saka to start all three games, fitness-wise. It’s just a lot of responsibility for them to take on.