Arsenal’s injured stars have missed the third most matches this season

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·13 November 2024

Arsenal’s injured stars have missed the third most matches this season

Arsenal’s current season has been marked by a series of injuries that have disrupted their lineup and impacted team performance. After a challenging period, they recently welcomed back Martin Odegaard, whose absence for over two months due to injury left a significant gap in both leadership and creativity on the field. The Norwegian’s return is expected to reinvigorate Arsenal’s midfield and offer a tactical boost as they prepare for critical matches leading up to the season’s halfway mark.

However, Odegaard is just one of several key players Arsenal has lost to injury this season. Bukayo Saka, one of their most dynamic attackers, has also faced multiple injury setbacks, limiting his availability. Likewise, Declan Rice, brought in over the summer to strengthen the midfield, has missed time as well. For a team that depends heavily on the contributions of these core players, their recurring injuries have undoubtedly affected consistency and team cohesion.

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Mikel Arteta has tried to manage his squad through these challenges, but the extent of the injuries has presented limitations. According to The Sun, Arsenal’s players have collectively missed 38 games due to injuries this season, making them the third most affected team in England in terms of cumulative player absences. Manchester United leads with absences adding up to 57 missed games, while Manchester City follows with 42 games lost. This statistic underscores the common challenges elite teams are facing in balancing performance and player health, especially given the intense match schedules in both domestic and European competitions.

For Arsenal, these injury-related absences reveal why they, like City, have experienced fluctuations in form. While Arteta and his medical staff are undoubtedly focused on maintaining player fitness through the rest of the season, the reality is that maintaining momentum with frequent absences is difficult. Arsenal’s depth has allowed some flexibility, but when the team’s leading contributors are out, the overall quality and fluidity of play are affected.

The struggle to replace the impact of players like Odegaard, Saka, and Rice also highlights the growing need for squad depth in top-tier teams. Arteta’s efforts to manage these challenges could define Arsenal’s season, as maintaining player availability will be key to keeping pace with title rivals in the Premier League and continuing a strong run in European competitions.

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