ARSENAL INJURY NEWS

Keep up-to-date with Arsenal injury news from across all teams at the club.

Mini Arsenal injury table

All Arsenal injuries

More detailed table further down this page

Mikel Arteta: It’s insane, managers warned this would happen

Mikel Arteta has called the number of injuries being picked up by Premier League clubs this season ‘insane’ and added that Premier League managers warned the Premier League that this would happen.

Three players had to be taken off injured during Arsenal’s game at Leicester.

Leicester’s Harvey Barnes looks like his might be the most serious, with knee surgery required and a minimum of six weeks on the sidelines ahead of him.

But the Foxes also lost Johnny Evans while Arsenal had to replace Emile Smith Rowe, who picked up a calf problem.

“It’s absolutely normal that it is happening,” said Arteta after the game when asked about the injuries.

“It is insane – the amount of minutes and the games that these players are playing without any pre-season, without any break.

“You are going to get injuries. We talked about it, all the managers raised our voices at the start of the season and [now] it’s happening.

“This is why we needed to change players [vs Leicester], because if not we were going to expose our players to injuries,’ Arteta added. “But sometimes you don’t have a chance as a manager [to do that] because you don’t have enough players or you have the necessity to win and play them again.”

In terms of numbers of players out injured, Arsenal have actually fared better this season than in recent ones. This season, rather than leading the way when it comes to the number of players they have out injured, the Gunners are leaving it to the likes of Liverpool (8) who, before this season, have enjoyed quite a few seasons where injuries have been relatively kind to them.

Arsenal have just one player out injured at the minute, Emile Smith Rowe. Only Spurs, who are another side who usually ride high on the Injury Table, have that few players out injured at the minute.

Premier League current injury numbers:

source

A number of years back, I started tracking injuries across the league to show that Arsenal were indeed suffering more injuries than other sides.

I don’t think I remember seeing a time when so many teams had so many players out injured. Eight teams currently have six or more players out.

That Arsenal only have one is the real miracle here.

Emile Smith Rowe injury update

Mikel Arteta says Emile Smith Rowe picked up a muscular injury in Arsenal’s win over Leicester City on Sunday.

There were a lot of positives to take from Arsenal’s win away to Leicester City at the weekend. After a poor start to the match, Mikel Arteta’s side largely dominated, and they turned that dominance into goals to record a 3-1 win.

There were positive displays from the likes of Willian and Nicolas Pepe, but the one worrying sign (excluding Leicester’s opener) was seeing Emile Smith Rowe go down with an injury.

The 20-year-old has a history with injuries, and the problem forced him off after just 42 minutes of the Leicester match. Arteta explained afterwards that it was a muscular problem.

“It was a muscular injury so we decided to take him out,” Arteta said. “Hopefully, it’s not going to be too bad.”

It would certainly be a blow to see Smith Rowe out for any serious period of time. Arsenal have the midweek off, so that will help, but we’ll have to wait and see how long he misses.

This is exactly why Martin Odegaard was brought in. It would have been madness to expect Smith Rowe to stay fit and play every game for the rest of the season, and the Real Madrid loanee has done a good job in his place when called upon.

Odegaard will likely start against Burnley now, but if Smith Rowe can make it back in time to replace him in one of the following matches, that would be a boost.

PREVIOUS ARSENAL INJURY NEWS UPDATES

Rob Holding is unavailable for Arsenal’s trip to face Benfica in Athens, but he’ll return in time for Leicester City at the weekend.

Rob Holding became Arsenal’s first-ever concussion substitute at the weekend, coming off for David Luiz after a blow to the head. Though the results came back without showing any serious problems for the player, he’s unavailable to face Benfica.

“Regarding Rob, he’s not available,” Mikel Arteta confirmed. “He had a concussion, we tested him and he’s completely fine but obviously now we need to follow the protocols and he won’t be able to travel.”

Mark Mann-Bryans reports that though Holding won’t travel to Athens, he’ll be fine for Sunday’s trip to Leicester City.

Obviously, there are strict rules to follow regarding concussions. Even if Holding appears to be completely fine, Arsenal don’t want to risk his safety or risk getting in trouble with the FA, so they have to leave him out for the required period of time.

It’s not a major problem for the team, as Gabriel Magalhaes and David Luiz should both be available to face Benfica as they did in the first leg. Holding was unlikely to start this match anyway, so the Leicester trip is a good return date.

It just means Arsenal will be relying on alternative options should Luiz need to come off against Benfica. Perhaps Calum Chambers will make his first appearance since December, after Arteta ruled him ready to go in his press conference.

Injury updates: Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney

Kieran Tierney has travelled to Rome with Arsenal ahead of their game against Benfica but Thomas Partey has stayed at home.

Speaking to the media before at his press conference, Mikel Arteta said, “Thomas [Partey] didn’t travel, he’s not there yet. He’s still training individually. Kieran has had one session with us and is part of the squad.”

Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero will both be back from injury in time to face Arsenal on Sunday, after they returned to the bench this week. More here

Kieran Tierney returns to training for Arsenal

Kieran Tierney has returned to training with Arsenal giving the Gunners a major lift before their games against Benfica and Manchester City.

After missing the last six games with a leg strain and knee issue, Kieran Tierney has returned to training with Arsenal.

🆕⚽️📺🔜

New training video dropping 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻… pic.twitter.com/GegMrnamR4
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 16, 2021

Speaking just a few days ago, Mikel Arteta said it ‘seems unlikely’ that either Thomas Partey or Kieran Tierney would be available for Arsenal’s matches this week.

Arsenal are currently facing one of their tougher weeks of the season so far. First up, they play their first Europa League knockout match, the first leg away to Benfica. Then, they’ll host league leaders Manchester City – who are on a 16-game winning streak.

It looked like Arsenal would have to make do without two of their key players in Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey. Both have had injury problems recently and Mikel Arteta didn’t seem too optimistic about them returning to action this week.

“It seems unlikely at the moment. But probably if there is one player who has got a bigger chance, it’s Kieran, because probably in the next few days he can start to do some parts with the team,” Arteta revealed.

“But I don’t know how it is going to evolve when he gets a little bit closer to training with the group.”

Tierney has had a couple of issues with his right leg, and Arteta’s last update confirmed he’ll rejoin training this week. However, that return to training doesn’t necessarily mean a return to the pitch just yet, as they need to evaluate the condition of his knee.

As for Partey, he has a hamstring problem, and reports suggest he’s likely to miss both legs of the Benfica tie. Nothing in Arteta’s most recent comments contradicts that assessment.

Pablo Mari returned from 34 days out to take up a place on the bench as Arsenal beat Leeds United 4-2

A Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hattrick and another from Hector Bellerin was enough to see of Bielsa’s Leeds on Valentine’s Day. Arsenal also hit the woodwork twice and had a good penalty overturned by VAR.

Mikel Arteta on Gabriel Martinelli

on why Martinelli isn’t starting most games…
Well, he came back and did really well, but then he picked up another injury. It took him a while to come and now it’s about getting in his rhythm and getting his place in the team like anybody else. Don’t forget that we played him last time against Manchester United and he started ahead of other players, so it’s not like he’s not having the opportunities. We know that he’s got a huge potential and he’s done some really good things since he’s come back. He has a lot of things to develop in his game because of course at his age it’s normal.

Mikel Arteta met with the media ahead of Arsenal’s game against Leeds United.

Here are the latest Arsenal fitness updates:

on whether there is an update on the team news…
Not really, we will know more in the next two days on the injuries we have and how they are evolving, and whether they will be available for Sunday or the next game. Be patient because it looks like a lot of players are breaking down.

on how long Partey will be out for…
It is a difficult one, he felt something during the game and we didn’t think it was too bad but after the scan looked a little bit worse. He won’t be available to play against Leeds and we will see how it evolves in the next two days but it is a muscular issue.

on how frustrating it is for him…
He was devastated, we were all devastated because we know the importance of Thomas and we haven’t had him since we signed him, we haven’t had him in three games consecutively. I think he has only played 90 minutes once since he has come back from injury, so it is a big blow for us but he is adapting to the league, he has been very unlucky as well and he is very frustrated because he is a very competitive guy who wants to feel important and be important for the team and at the moment the injuries are restricting a lot of game time for him.

on Kieran Tierney…
We have to see how the knee reacts when he starts to get a bit more load. He hasn’t had much left but he is very positive at the moment, he is in good spirits and he is desperate to get back in the team and we will see in the next few days, the moment he starts to train with the team and se how he is feeling and how he reacts.

Major blow as Thomas Partey to miss both Benfica legs

Thomas Partey is now likely to miss the entirety of Arsenal’s Europa League tie with Benfica, due to a hamstring injury.

Thomas Partey picked up yet another injury against Aston Villa last weekend. This time it was a hamstring problem, which initially didn’t seem too serious, but Mikel Arteta says a scan on the problem brought bad news.

“He felt something during the game and we didn’t think it was too bad but after the scan, it looked a little bit worse,” Arteta said. “He won’t be available to play against Leeds and we will see how it evolves in the next few days but it’s a muscular issue.”

Football.London add that they understand Partey isn’t just going to miss the Leeds United clash, but also both Europa League matches against Benfica. That’s a big blow for the team, with a lot riding on the European ties at the moment.

Given Arsenal’s position in the league, winning the Europa League may well turn out to be their only route into Europe next season. There are no cup runs to fall back on this time.

Obviously, it’s a huge long shot. We already know how one bad match will kill you in the Europa League, however well you play until then. The absence of players like Partey only makes things more difficult.

This is Partey’s third serious injury of the season, in addition to a number of knocks. He missed most of November and most of December with his last two setbacks.

Both Thomas Partey and Kieran Tierney have been ruled out of Arsenal’s game vs Leeds United

Arsenal have provided the latest team news ahead of their Premier League game vs Leeds United on Sunday:

Thomas Partey: Thomas sustained a strain to his left hamstring during last Saturday’s match at Aston Villa and will miss the match against Leeds United on Sunday. Thomas will continue to be assessed and rehabilitate from this injury.

Kieran Tierney: Kieran is recovering well from a strain to the right lower leg and is aiming to integrate back into training next week.

7 February 2021

Thomas Partey injury update: Thomas Partey picked up another muscular injury on Saturday in Arsenal’s defeat against Aston Villa, so when are we likely to see the midfielder return to action?

In the 74th minute of Arsenal’s game against Aston Villa on Saturday Thomas Partey just sat down. His muscles, it seems, had once again had enough of the Premier League.

Replaced by Willian, Arsenal now look set to be without Thomas Partey for at least a few games but we are unlikely to know how many until he actually returns because that’s how this new lot do things. Or don’t, as the case might be.

After Saturday’s latest debacle, Mikel Arteta said of Partey, “He had a muscular injury so we had to take him off

“He could not carry on playing.

“I don’t know [how bad it is],” he added.

“We will see the extent of the injury. He wasn’t feeling well enough to continue playing so we had to take him off.”

Thomas Partey injury history at Arsenal

Before this injury, Partey had already missed 10 games for Arsenal in his first season in England. This is a player who missed just six in five years with the Atletico Madrid first team.

Colder, more physical conditions seem to be taking their toll.

Arsenal don’t play again until Leeds turn up at the Emirates on Valentine’s Day.

Smart money would be on Thomas Partey’s injury keeping him out of both that game at least.

Speaking in January about Thomas Partey when the midfielder was still out with his hip problem, Mikel Arteta highlighted his importance to the side.

“He has got a different presence, he brings something different to the team,” said Arteta. “It is not just about his talent, it is not just about his physicality, it is who he is as a person.

“He makes players better around him and that is a big, big quality. It is incredible that we are in January and we have only played him twice. We have not really seen the impact we believe he could have on the team.”

Arsenal currently sit in 10th place in the league once again, but only because so many teams below have games in hand. Our next Premier League opponents, for example, sit just two points behind us. Leeds have two games in hand, however, with Southampton and Palace, both also two points beneath Arsenal, having one.

“I think it is going to be a big bonus if we can keep him fit,” Arteta continued. “He is a special character and hopefully we can see him on the pitch finally.”

Hopefully.

Thomas Partey was taken off injured as Arsenal lost 1-0 at Villa Park.

Thomas

Partey was replaced by Willian after 75 minutes when the midfielder went down injured.

Updates as soon as they are available.

Arsenal have just announced their team for the game against Aston Villa and Mat Ryan gets his first start for Arsenal:

Arsenal lineup: Ryan, Bellerin, Holding, Gabriel, Cedric, Xhaka, Partey, Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Lacazette

Subs: Runarsson, Chambers, Mari, Elneny, Ceballos, Odegaard, Willian, Martinellie, Aubameyang

5 February 2021

Mat Ryan fit to start for Arsenal

Goalkeeper is one position where Arteta has to make a change for Arsenal’s game vs Aston Villa. Bernd Leno picked up a one-match ban for his handball on Tuesday, and this is that one match.

The big question is whether Mat Ryan will be fit. If he is, you’d expect him to start, given the amount of Premier League experience he has compared to Runar Alex Runarsson. Otherwise, Runarsson will be making his first league start in England.

Right now, it looks like Ryan has passed his late fitness tests. Icelandic reporter Hjörvar Hafliðason, who seemingly has links to Inaki Cana and Runar Alex Runarsson, claims Ryan will start.

Arsenal injury news update 4 February 2021

Mat Ryan is still not back in training

Kieran Tierney looks doubtful for the game against Aston Villa with Mikel Arteta saying, ” We are trying to manage him in the best possible way and find every possibility to give him the best chance to be fit as soon as possible, and we are here to support him as much as we can.”

Arsenal lost Bernd Leno against Wolves when he was sent off but with no Mat Ryan to turn to, Arsenal had to bring on Alex Runarsson, so when will the Aussie be back?

Mat Ryan has been conspicuously absent from the Arsenal squad since his signing as he’s been recovering from a hip problem.

When he gave an update before the calamity at Wolves that saw Arsenal lose 2-1 after two sendings off, including one of the most farcical you’re ever likely to see, Arteta said “Mat is unavailable for Tuesday’s match. Hopeful to be back in full training in the coming days.”

That sounds relatively positive so we can hope he is fit for the game against Aston Villa.

Last week, when Arteta said that both Pablo Mari and Dani Ceballos would be in training in the ‘coming days’ it was around three before they returned.

Speaking after the game, Arteta added, “He had a muscular issue and in the last two days he hasn’t been able to train. Hopefully we can get him back in the next few days.”

We have four before we have to play Aston Villa…