Arsenal’s injury WOES continues as Mikel Arteta confirms Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey could be out for weeks

Mikel Arteta's side remains undefeated in the Premier League despite injuries.

Arsenal’s injury WOES continues as Mikel Arteta confirms Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey could be out for weeks

(L-R) Mikel Arteta, Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus. (Source: Sky Sports, GOAL)

Mikel Arteta just confirmed that Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey won’t play in the next Premier League game against Sheffield United due to injuries. This news comes after Jesus got hurt during the UEFA Champions League match against Sevilla and Partey got injured during training.

The scans show that there is a muscle injury. We might miss him for a few weeks again. With Gabi, I cannot give you any time frame because he always surprises us.
Mikel Arteta said in pre-match press conference
YouTube video

The Spanish boss also talks about the Ghanian midfielder’s injury that he sustained. He said:

He got that injury in training, with the last kick of the ball. Very unfortunate.

In less than a quarter of the season, Mikel Arteta faces an injury concern at Arsenal. The duo of Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey has already missed 11 games, including the Community Shield. Now, they’re added to the list of injured players, alongside Jurrien Timber. They’ll be absent for upcoming tough away matches: the EFL Cup game against West Ham and the Premier League match against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park.

FS Video

Mikel Arteta hopes for an injury-free performance, with star player Bukayo Saka returning after a thigh injury sustained before the October International break.

Mikel Arteta demands change due to growing football calendar

In a press conference – prior to the game against Sheffield United – Mikel Arteta voiced his concerns about the growing football calendar. When asked by a reporter about a point the Spanish boss made earlier about having a bigger squad. Further, the Arsenal manager pointed out that the only way to tackle the growing calendar is to bring changes.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta (via Arsenal)

Arteta said:

We have more games, more competitiveness and physically the standards are high. Instead of five subs, we can have ten.

He gave this as an arbitrary solution to the problem. Mikel further made the point of maintaining the quality of football which can only be upheld if changes are made – if the football calendar were to keep extending.

Jurgen Klopp has also been vocal about his disdain for the issue stating in September of 2023 and said:

We cannot change that, they will never change that, whoever we talk to. Now the TV channel has a different name but that doesn't change anything at all. They just don't give a F*** about that.

Mikel Arteta is not the only manager who has made his voice known about the ‘poor’ match arrangements and growing football calendar. Pep Guardiola came out and said that players need to come together and voice their opinion on the topic and maybe then changes can be made.

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