The Gunners have been plagued by defensive injuries once again this season, although unlike previous campaigns have had the squad depth to cover their losses.
Signing Christhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie now seems like a masterstroke by manager Mikel Arteta, even though the former is currently also sidelined. Arsenal’s newfound squad depth is playing dividends, but Arteta would still like to have his best players available for selection.
Arsenal’s first-choice defensive duo, William Saliba and Gabriel, have both been recovering from injuries. The latter has an adductor problem, picked up while on international duty with Brazil last month, and Saliba has been recovering from a knock too.
But speaking ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League trip to Club Brugge tonight (December 10), Arteta was full of encouraging news about his injured players – although they won’t be back for tonight’s game.
He said: “William is still not available, and Leo [Trossard] again picked another knock in an area where he had the issue, and I don’t expect that it’s going to be long, but unfortunately, he cannot be here.”
Declan Rice has also not travelled to Belgium for tonight’s game, having fallen ill. But Kai Havertz – who has been sidelined for the better part of the past 12 months will assorted injuries – is close to a return.
Arteta added: “He’s doing really well, he’s doing stuff on the pitch, but I think he needs some time.
“He was doing everything. He could not go to the next level and now it’s looking like we have unlocked that. We’re all desperate to have him. It’s a player that personally, I love so much for what he brings to the team. His character, his personality, I see him suffer, being outside.
“His playing record is phenomenal. He’s always been available, and I can’t wait to have him back around the team playing now because I think it’s going to be a massive boost for the team.”