Arsenal Players’ Fitness Issues Are Concerning For Arteta

Arsenal
Arsenal

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Premier League Club Arsenal, has recently expressed his concerns regarding the team players’ multiple cases of injury. Arteta faced criticism after the drastic loss of his team to Southampton. People mainly criticized the manager for making many changes in the team before the match.

Arteta Explains His Decision To Make Changes In Arsenal Team

The 0-1 defeat of Arsenal to Southampton spurred criticism on the team’s manager. Arteta finally clarifies his decision to make changes in the team. Arteta stated that he was forced to make the changes because of the players’ fitness issues. He said that he had to make seven changes in the total. Five of the changes were because of the players’ lack of readiness. KT and Thomas were the players who were not ready enough to perform in the game.

The players were unable to play to their full potential and they had to be managed to save the game. Arteta also added that he saw Thomas Partey struggling with his injury. The manager is hopeful that Partey will be fit for the match on Saturday. Another Arsenal player Tierney was also injured and unavailable for the match against Southampton. He is still unfit to play. The manager said that the team did not have five players for the game.

Nevertheless, the players are moving forward to have a full recovery and to be fit enough to perform in the match against Manchester United. Both Emile Smith Rowe and Thomas Partey played well in the recent 3-1 victory for the team which surely indicates that the medical staff is trying their fullest to retrieve the team. Meanwhile, Arsenal is planning for the loan signing of footballer Martin Odegaard.

Arteta stated that they are very hopeful to play the match against Manchester United but whether Odegaard will play in the match or not is still not confirmed.