Mikel Arteta has conceded that Arsenal’s mounting injury situation could undermine his side’s ambitions across multiple competitions this campaign.
Arsenal swept into the FA Cup fifth round with an emphatic 4-0 demolition of League One side Wigan at the Emirates on Sunday.
Yet the convincing scoreline only masked growing concerns over their mounting casualty list.
The Gunners, who currently sit four points clear atop the Premier League, remain in contention for an unprecedented quadruple.
However, fresh setbacks to key personnel have left their manager acknowledging the squad’s vulnerability at a critical juncture of the season.
The injury woes began before kick-off when Riccardo Calafiori picked up a problem during the warm-up, ruling him out of the starting lineup entirely.
Ben White then added to Arteta’s headaches after being withdrawn during the second half.
Captain Martin Odegaard was absent from the matchday squad altogether, having sustained a knock during Thursday’s 1-1 draw with Brentford.
Mikel Arteta has conceded that Arsenal’s mounting injury situation could undermine his side’s ambitions
|GETTY
The situation in midfield looks particularly bleak.
Kai Havertz faces at least the rest of February on the sidelines, while Mikel Merino’s campaign appears over following foot surgery.
The problems have affected different areas of the pitch in succession throughout the season.
When asked whether he was concerned about his depleted options, Arteta was unequivocal: “Yes. Before it was the strikers, then it was the defenders and now it is the midfielders (getting injured).”
Bukayo Saka was drafted into the side and handed the captain’s armband due to Riccardo Calafiori picking up a problem during the warm-up
| GETTYThe Spaniard stressed the importance of recovering bodies swiftly.
He said: “We are coping with that. But we need some players back and fit, not only for numbers but different options in relation to the opponents we have, so the quicker they are back the better.”
Arsenal face a demanding week ahead, travelling to Molineux to meet Wolves on Wednesday before the north London derby against Tottenham the following weekend.
Despite the injury concerns, there were encouraging signs from Eberechi Eze, the £68million summer signing from Crystal Palace who has faced scrutiny over his performances since arriving.
Arsenal cruised into the FA Cup fifth round with a comprehensive 4-0 demolition of League One strugglers Wigan | GETTYThe attacking midfielder set up both of Arsenal’s opening goals against Wigan.
He was previously substituted at half-time during the Brentford stalemate in what was his first league start for two months.
Arteta expressed his satisfaction with the display: “Those players need those moments, and especially when we talk about the creative players, they need to feel that they are producing those moments.
“I am very happy with that. For the mood, for the confidence, it is really a good thing.”