MIKEL ARTETA has a major injury headache ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Gunners have two key players doubtful for their clash with the in-form Manchester United, who are set to provide them with their toughest test of the season so far.
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and midfielder Martin Odegaard are both doubts for the visit to Old Trafford.
And they could very well join new signing Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny in the treatment room.
Arteta said: “[Aaron] Ramsdale and [Martin] Odegaard have been assessed and we will see more tomorrow.
“Hopefully, they’ll be available to train with the team. Alex [Zinchenko] missed two games and has not been able to train with the team yet.
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“For Mo [Elneny], we are talking months. With Thomas [Partey], we are hopefully talking weeks and even shorter than that.
“We have tried to manage him. A lot has happened since he’s joined.
“We are trying the possible way to find reasons for that.
“Unfortunately his body and mind are too difficult to put a finger on to identify one factor. Attitude is there. He’s really disappointed and wants to get back.”
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The potential absences of Ramsdale and Odegaard will likely see Arteta throw Matt Turner and Albert Lokonga into the Old Trafford fire.
Alternatively, Arteta could opt to anchor his midfield with Ben White – who has experience playing in the middle of the park.
White being deployed in central midfield could see Takehiro Tomiyasu play at right back.
Cedric Soares, meanwhile, could be deployed at left-back if Arteta opts to give the injury-prone Kieran Tierney a rest.
Arteta is confident his squad is capable of handling the rigorous demands of the season, saying: “We had a lot of things still to do with squad.
“Look at the departures compared to what we’ve recruited. The club has done a phenomenal job to bring players with the profiles we wanted.
“Unfortunately Tomo [Tomiyasu] got injured in the same place last time and Eleny has a long-term injury. We had to react.
“We tried but have to bring in the right player for the team and for the club but didn’t manage to do that.
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“It’s the team we have. For me, it’s the best squad and team I have available. There is nothing else we can do.
“We have an academy as well that we have to use and we will try to do that the best possible way.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
