Mikel Arteta looked to finally be free of numerous Arsenal injury concerns only for a fresh blow to emerge from the 2-1 win against Wolves. The likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus have all missed portions of the season but the attacking foursome were all in the starting XI and back at their best over the weekend.
Saka and Odegaard were the goal-scorers with Jesus and Martinelli integral in the build up play with the latter’s defensive contributions invaluable. While on the topic of the preferred starting XI Arteta deployed last season, Ben White was on the bench for the third successive game as the form of Takehiro Tomiyasu saw him keep his place.
The Japan international then rewarded Arteta by picking up an assist, however he was unable to finish the game after pulling up clutching his calf. After the game, Arteta gave a brief update on why he was taken off with his comments somewhat optismistic.
“He felt something. I don’t know if it was fatigue,” the Arsenal boss said after the game. “We decided to change straight away and we didn’t want to take any risks. Let’s assess him and see how he is.” If Tomiyasu is unavailable to face Luton on Tuesday evening, he will join the list of absent full-backs in north London.
Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber are both recovering from major injuries with the latter unlikely to be seen until Spring 2024. Partey meanwhile, could miss the remainder of the year with his availability to represent Ghana at AFCON in doubt.
Emile Smith Rowe is another player missing with Arteta offering a hopeful update on returns for him and Partey last week. “It is a possibility but it will depend how they evolve,” Arteta said when asked if the duo would be back in January. “Emile has already been on the pitch, doing some jogging. I don’t know weeks-wise how long it’s going to take. Emile is a quick healer. Thomas is the same.
“They are both going to push but we have to make sure when they come back they are at their best as well. We don’t want to rush them but as well the team needs them because at the moment we are missing some key, key players as well.”
Fabio Vieira recently joined Timber, Partey and Smith Rowe in the treatment room as he underwent an operation for a groin issue. Yeah we’ve got a problem with him,” Arteta said of Vieira after the Portugal international was not spotted in open training. “He’s been having some discomfort. We tried to have some conservative treatment with him. It wasn’t improving so we sent him to see a specialist and the advice was to have an operation in his groin. We did that yesterday. We expect him to be out for weeks now.”
While Vieira, Partey and Smith Rowe are all expected back relatively soon, a lengthy lay-off remains for Timber, however he was spotted in attendance for the win against Wolves. Arteta was also able to provide a minor update on the Netherlands international.
“Well I hope so [be back on the grass soon],” he said during a press conference in November. “He’s been for a few walks out on the field. He’s still a bit far from competing but he’s in a good place.” On Smith Rowe and Partey, Arteta added: “It is a possibility [that Smith Rowe will return for January]. He has already been on the pitch doing some jogging. He’s a quick healer. Thomas the same. We need them to be back at their best.”