Two games, two losses, and two trophies slipped from Arsenal’s hands. They must bounce back this week if they are to claim Champions League or Premier League glory.
Mikel Arteta called on his squad to show what they are capable of after losing to Southampton in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup final to Man City, but his options have been severely limited amid the injury crisis.
Eleven Arsenal players were removed from international duty during the March break. This has led to criticism that the Gunners are saving their energy for club football. But Arteta’s selection at Southampton and subsequent public training session on Monday suggested the Arsenal manager had a serious problem.
With the Champions League quarter-final first leg away to Sporting on Tuesday and Bournemouth taking on a tricky Premier League side at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, Arteta may have to dig deep into his squad to find solutions as the season-defining games continue.
goalkeeper
Ross Stewart leaves on wheels after giving Southampton the lead against Arsenal
Arteta was criticized for using Kepa Arrizabalaga in the Carabao Cup final, where Arsenal’s substitute keeper made a huge mistake in Man City’s opener. However, by appointing Kepa again at Southampton, where Arsenal’s defense was poor, they put even more effort into strengthening Kepa, and he scored two goals before missing out on the FA Cup. First-choice David Raya came on as a substitute in both games, but is certain to return for the games against Sporting and Bournemouth.
Who will start against Sporting? The smart money is on Raya.
right full back
Southampton’s first goal was due to Arsenal’s Ben White
Ben White made a mistake to score Southampton’s first goal on Saturday. The England international has finally returned to the starting XI after Julian Timber’s ankle injury. But Arteta expects Timber, who will miss Sporting’s first leg, to return for Saturday’s Premier League home game against Bournemouth. But for now, Arteta has no clear option to replace White at Sporting.
Who will start against Sporting? It looks like White has given his nod once again.
center back
After Gabriel limped off against Southampton, Arteta immediately cast doubt on his availability for the match against Sporting, saying: “When a player wants to be replaced, it’s never good news.” Gabriel missed international duty with Brazil due to soreness in his right knee and had ice on his left knee, but returned to full training with his teammates on Monday and is available for Tuesday’s game.
His regular centre-back partner William Saliba replaced Gabriel, himself absent from international duty with France. Can he play the full 90 minutes? Cristian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafioli are other options for that position.
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Soccer Special’s Michael Dawson and Kris Boyd discuss how the FA Cup loss to Southampton could affect Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions.
Who will start against Sporting? Arsenal’s first-choice pair of Saliba and Gabriel look fit to restart their partnership, but Calafioli may be needed in Portugal.
left full back
Piero Hincapie had established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice left-back, but suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Ecuador during the international break and has not featured for Southampton or returned to training. Miles Lewis-Skelly played Saturday, and Calafioli was another option mentioned.
Who will start against Sporting? Calafiori or Lewis Skelly are likely to take that spot.
midfield
Declan Rice returns to action against Sporting
Arsenal fans will be heartened by the return of Declan Rice on Tuesday, as he was confirmed fit to return to the grass with his team-mates ahead of the trip to Portugal. Arteta suggested Rice and Bukayo Saka were at “70 per cent” and “on the edge” when explaining why they declined their UK assignments and were not subsequently involved with St Mary’s University.
Martin Zvimendi suffered a knee injury while playing for Spain and was substituted at Southampton, while Martin Odegaard started alongside Christian Norgaard for the first time since January.
Eberechi Eze is still unavailable due to a calf injury, while Mikel Merino is racing to return this season after undergoing foot surgery in February.
Who will start against Sporting? Arteta may have to risk Rice, but captain Odegaard and Zvimendi are likely to have to feature again.
wingers
Saka will continue to be absent in the first leg against Sporting, but Arteta expects him to be back for Saturday’s visit to Bournemouth. With that in mind, Leandro Trossard’s return to action against Sporting following a hip problem is a boost. Max Dauman and Gabriel Martinelli, both 16, played the full 90 games for Southampton.
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Arsenal were training ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting, which included a bizarre exercise in which players balanced pens while dribbling, but Bukayo Saka was nowhere to be seen.
Noni Madueke avoided a serious knee injury while playing for England and came off the bench at the weekend.
Who will start against Sporting? Will Maduke start without Saka? While Dauman certainly won’t be asked to start again after a full shift at Southampton, Martinelli may get another run-out on the left flank with Trossard returning from injury.
in front
Victor Gokeres scored off the bench for Southampton and is looking forward to Tuesday’s Champions League game against former club Sporting. Kai Havertz, who played in an attacking midfield role at Southampton, is also a No. 9 option, as is Gabriel Jesus, but has mostly played bit roles in recent Premier League and Champions League games.
Who will start against Sporting? Having returned to Portugal, Goqueres is firmly locked in to start against his former club. That would reduce Havertz’s workload and the German could return to action against Bournemouth at the weekend.
