Mikel Arteta gives worrying injury update ahead of Bolton clash | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has suggested that Arsenal picked up new injuries against Manchester City, ahead of Wednesday’s League Cup tie against Bolton Wanderers.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Gabriel, Myles Lewis-Skelly and David Raya of Arsenal look dejected following the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Arsenal came through a tough trip to the Etihad Stadium with a 2-2 draw on Sunday, and the Gunners were just seconds from victory despite playing the entire second half with just 10 men.

That took a major effort from the team, but the way Arsenal played in that second period has led some to suggest they were faking injuries to run down the clock.

“I always prefer the facts to words and supposing things,” Mikel Arteta said in response to those suggestions. “Let’s see who is available tomorrow and then we can talk about dark arts. Unfortunately there will be a few players not available.”

As for the exact identity of the injured players, Arteta would only say: “Tomorrow you will find out.”

When pushed on whether any of the injuries were serious, the Arsenal boss said: “We have to wait [to find out] for one of them.”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Players of Arsenal applaud the fans following the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Arsenal substituted Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Martinelli, and Jurrien Timber in the second half against Manchester City, so those three will draw most of the fan concern ahead of Wednesday’s game.

But it’s not impossible that the injuries lie elsewhere. Ben White wasn’t meant to feature against City due to an injury concern of his own, but he ended up having to play the entire second half with Arsenal a man down.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal leaves the pitch after being shown a red card during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadium on September 22, 2024. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Arsenal already had a few other injuries, with Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Kieran Tierney all out.

We’ll see who is left when Arsenal announce their squad for the game on Wednesday night.