Triple injury boost for Arsenal ahead of Bournemouth and Tottenham games

Arsenal got a triple injury-boost ahead of their crunch week in the race for a top-four finish.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

The Gunners made light work of Southampton in the first half at the Emirates on Sunday however the second reminded us of the concerns we have surrounding this team.

Injuries to Alex Iwobi and Stephan Lichtsteiner compounded Unai Emery’s selection problems with the pair being replaced after 75 and 56 minutes respectively.

Speaking to the press after the game, Emery gave updates on three players and, ahead of the game against Bournemouth, we now have a better idea what players will be available as Arsenal look to consolidate fourth place.

Let’s start with…

Alex Iwobi

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Alex Iwobi of Arsenal battles for possession with Yan Valery of Southampton during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 23, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Alex Iwobi was replaced after 75 minutes with what looked like an ankle problem.

“I hope it’s only a knock, not a more important injury. I hope he can play Wednesday,” Emery said to reporters after the final whistle.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 09: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Arsenal FC at John Smith’s Stadium on February 9, 2019 in Huddersfield, United Kingdom. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Maitland-Niles was a surprise absentee for Arsenal’s game against BATE Borisov on Thursday until it was revealed he’d been licking the communal Arsenal germbox.

He also missed out on Sunday but Unai Emery is hopeful that the 21-year-old will have recovered sufficiently to be involved against Bournemouth on Wednesday night.

Mesut Ozil

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 24: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Southampton FC at Emirates Stadium on February 24, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Mesut Ozil came off the bench in the 63rd minute to replace Aaron Ramsey. Some were surprised to see him back on the bench after he started against BATE Borisov on Thursday night but given how little football the German has played recently, and how fragile he seems at the minute, this was a wise move.

He’s not, after all, Harry Kane who seems able to return to playing a month early and get straight back to playing the full 90 like there’s nothing suspicious going on whatsoever.

Stephan Lichtsteiner

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Stephan Lichtsteiner of Arsenal saves the ball on the line during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

The Swiss defender may have his critics at Arsenal – and rightly so – but without him we’d be playing Carl Jenkinson.

Yes, I know that an argument can be made that we should play Jenks anyway, but let’s not go there.

The veteran was replaced after just 56 minutes after he suffered back pain and Emery said post-match, “Lichtsteiner has back pain, but I hope he can be OK for Wednesday, I hope Maitland-Niles as well.”