Mikel Arteta has shared an in depth replace on Arsenal’s harm state of affairs as preparations proceed for the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg towards Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Talking right this moment on the Sobha Realty Coaching Centre, the Arsenal supervisor addressed issues throughout the squad forward of what SoftFootball has described as a large EFL Cup showdown.
The replace adopted Arsenal’s spectacular 4-1 FA Cup win over Portsmouth, a match the place a number of senior gamers have been absent regardless of the sturdy outcome, which was powered by a Martinelli hat-trick.
Arteta confirmed that defensive duo Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori are nonetheless unavailable, with no rapid return date in sight. Explaining the state of affairs in a publish shared by the membership’s official X account, the supervisor made it clear each defenders are nonetheless in need of full health and never prepared for choice.
As he put it plainly:
These two will not be out there but.
Arteta went on to make clear Calafiori’s concern in additional element, noting that whereas progress is being made, endurance remains to be required.
On the Italian defender, he stated:
It’s a muscle harm. He’s progressing, however we don’t know. I feel it’ll matter for just a few weeks most likely, however we don’t know precisely when.
Hincapie’s restoration stays unsure, with scans nonetheless pending and no clear timeline supplied. There was additionally concern round William Saliba and Leandro Trossard, each of whom missed the FA Cup tie. Arteta confirmed the pair are doubts for Wednesday, including one other layer of uncertainty in each defence and assault as Arsenal head into the primary leg.
Updates have been additionally supplied on long-term absentees Max Dowman and Cristhian Mosquera. Arteta defined that each gamers are recovering from related ankle accidents and are progressing effectively however are nonetheless a ways away from a return.
He stated:
(Max) is similar to Mosquera. Very related accidents, very related time frames. Each evolving rather well, however they’re not coaching but, so that they’re nonetheless just a few weeks away.
One constructive word got here within the type of Kai Havertz, who not too long ago returned to motion. Arteta burdened the significance of managing the German’s comeback rigorously whereas praising his impression and intelligence.
Talking after his return towards Portsmouth, he stated:
Clearly we missed him loads. A yr is a very long time in soccer… We’ve got to handle his minutes now.
With a number of key gamers nonetheless unsure, Arteta faces a fragile balancing act forward of the journey to Stamford Bridge. Whereas accidents could restrict his choices, the doable availability of Havertz provides a well timed enhance, and Arsenal will journey figuring out that managing the primary leg neatly may very well be simply as necessary because the outcome itself.
