It has been an eventful start to the campaign for Arsenal. The Gunners started the season with two wins in a row before slumping to a defeat against Liverpool. In the last game, they came back from behind to draw with Tottenham Hotspur. The north London giants could have achieved better results, had it not been for their injury concerns.
And in this article, we will discuss the players who are out injured for Arsenal at the moment and what measures Unai Emery can take to replace them.
Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin’s absence has served as a massive blow for Arsenal, especially with Stephan Lichsteiner being released this summer. As a result, Emery has had to rely on the services of Ainsley Maitland-Niles. There is nothing much one can do to replace Bellerin, though Calum Chambers is also an option.
However, the ex-Fulham star has failed to perform whenever he has featured as a right-back. Hence, persisting with Maitland-Niles is perhaps the best solution when it comes to replacing Bellerin at the moment.
Significance of absence: 10/10
Rob Holding
Rob Holding has returned training after a long injury layoff. He is currently lacking match fitness but should be in contention to return to the pitch soon enough.
In the meantime, Emery has no choice but to persist with the central defensive combination of David Luiz and Sokratis Papastatathopoulos. Holding’s apparent absence, however, means that the Gunners don’t have any reliable backups aside from Chambers and the much-maligned Shkodran Mustafi.
Significance of absence: 9/10
Konstantinos Mavropanos
Mavropanos aggravated a groin injury back in August. The Greek is still sidelined, though he is expected to return to training this month.
Mavropanos’ absence hasn’t really made a big impact in the Arsenal defence despite their lack of depth. He is not a prominent member of the first-team or even the bench, meaning Emery cannot possibly find out a way to replace the central defender.
Significance of absence: 6/10
Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney is the only Arsenal player who is suffering from a significant injury so far. The Scot is out with a groin problem, though he is expected to return to training soon.
Tierney was pencilled to become the club’s first-choice left-back. But, his absence means Arsenal are treading on thin ground, especially following the departure of Nacho Monreal. Emery, therefore, once again has no choice but to continue with Sead Kolasinac.
He could, however, deploy a wing-back system in order to suit the playing style of both Maitland-Niles and Kolasinac. But that could be problematic as well given the lack of reliable central defenders in the team.
Significance of absence: 10/10
Other players who aren’t fit include Granit Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, Alexandre Lacazette and Joe Willock. But, none of them have any fatal injury concerns and are expected to return to the pitch soon enough.
