Arsenal travel to Manchester United with a host of injury problems and Mikel Arteta had little optimism for most of the players currently on the sidelines, not least Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Oleksandr Zinchenko shouting for a decision (Photo via Zinchenko on Instagram)
Oleksandr Zinchenko shouting for a decision (Photo via Zinchenko on Instagram)

Oleksandr Zinchenko suffered a sprained knee in training before the Fulham game and, while there were some rumblings that he might be fit to face Aston Villa, we know that was not the case.

Ahead of the game against Manchester United, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Arsenal do not expect to have the versatile and stylish former Manchester City player back, in what is a blow to the side, considering the other players who are also out injured.

Speaking about Aaron Ramsdale (hamstring) and Martin Odegaard (bruising), both of whom are also doubts, Mikel Arteta said, “Those two [Ramsdale and Odegaard] are being assessed, we will see more tomorrow. Hopefully they will be able to train with the team.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal gestures to the back of their shirt after the final whistle of the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 31: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal gestures to the back of their shirt after the final whistle of the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Aston Villa at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

“Unfortunately with Alex [Zinchenko] that’s still not the case, he missed two games and has not been able to train with the team yet.”

Thomas Partey (thigh) and Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) will also both miss out.

“With Mo it’s probably a little bit easier and we are talking months,” Arteta said. “With Thomas, hopefully we are talking weeks or even shorter than that I hope.

“We have tried to manage [Thomas]. A lot has happened since he joined and we are trying to find the best possible way to find the reason why that happens, but unfortunately, the body and mind are two different groups so sometimes to understand that you can’t put your finger on a single thing to try to prevent something happening.”