Mikel Arteta confirms Arsenal injury absences in huge update before Bolton clash
Mikel Arteta has revealed a number of Arsenal players will be absent through injury before the Carabao Cup clash against Bolton at Emirates Stadium. Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino were both notable absentees from Sunday’s draw against Manchester City with Arteta handed a number of new worries from the clash at Etihad Stadium.
The Gunners put in a tremendous shift against their title rivals but saw a victory away snatched away in the final minutes. Leandro Trossard’s first-half sending off resulted in Arsenal defending for their lives in the second half and that looked to prove potentially costly for a particular trio.
During the second period, David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber all went down injured. The latter duo were both replaced but Raya continued and the impact of that decision could be huge with the Spain international spotted walking through the mixed zone hobbling.
Following that, Arteta was asked about the latest injury news but understandably remained coy. “I always prefer the facts to words than supposing things. Let’s see who is available tomorrow and then we can talk about dark arts,” he said. “Unfortunately there will be a few players not available. Tomorrow you will find out.”
Arteta’s comments certainly reference Merino and Odegaard with their respective injuries likely to keep both out for the next few weeks at the very least. On his club captain, Arteta said: “I think it will be a matter of weeks, but how long exactly I cannot tell. We might get a surprise but I think it’s unlikely he’ll be back before the international break.”
Asked specifically about Raya, Arteta said: “Let’s see how they are today. We’ll try to make a call on that if we believe that’s a possibility.” Oleksandr Zinchenko is another player currently absent through injury with Arteta also revealing he won’t be back for another few weeks.
Given it is a cup clash against League One opposition, rotation is expected and the doubtful trio are therefore unlikely to play.
Based on that, a number of fringe players are expected to feature in the cup clash with Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly among those could be handed minutes with Raheem Sterling hoping for his first start. Summer loan signing Neto cannot play however, as he is cup tied after playing in the previous round for Bournemouth.
