Arsenal have been really unlucky with injuries since the start of the 2024/25 season.
Mikel Arteta has one of the best squads in the Premier League when everyone is fit, but the Arsenal manager has had to do without several key players over the last two months.
The Gunners, however, have done really well and are just a point off the top of the Premier League table. They are in a good place now, but injuries could yet hamper their season.
If Arsenal’s worst-case scenario ahead of the game against Bournemouth becomes a reality, Arteta could be without a whole XI.
11 Arsenal stars could be ruled out of Bournemouth game if worst-case scenario comes true
Arsenal have had plenty of injury issues in recent weeks and there is a chance a few of them could return to action for the game against Bournemouth.
However, if things don’t go to plan, as many as 11 players could miss the game. Here’s who they are:
Neto: The Brazilian is on loan from Bournemouth, so he is not eligible to play against his parent club.
Ben White: White has been out injured and has missed each of Arsenal’s last four games. The club have not revealed a return date for the Englishman.
Jurrien Timber: Timber suffered a muscular issue against PSG and then missed the game against Southampton. It’s unclear if he has recovered.
Takehiro Tomiyasu: Tomiyasu is said to have suffered a knee injury. This reportedly occurred during his late cameo against Southampton, which was his first appearance of the season.
Kieran Tierney: Tierney has been included in Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League squads, but he has been out of action with an injury since before the start of the campaign.
Thomas Partey: Partey withdrew from the Ghana squad for this international break due to illness. It is expected that he will recover, but if Arsenal’s worst-case scenario comes true, he could be out of the game this weekend.
Oleksandr Zinchenko: Zinchenko hasn’t played a game for Arsenal since the end of August. Arteta claimed that the Ukrainian could return after the international break if things went to plan. But, if it hasn’t, he’ll miss the game against Bournemouth.
Martin Odegaard: Odegaard suffered a nasty ankle injury in September’s international break. He has been out of action since and is not expected to be back in time for this Saturday’s game.
Bukayo Saka: Saka returned to Arsenal early from the England camp after suffering what looked like a hamstring issue. There is a chance he could be sidelined.
Kai Havertz: Havertz withdrew from the Germany squad in this international break due to a knee injury. If he hasn’t recovered, he could miss the game at Bournemouth.
Gabriel Martinelli: Martinelli suffered an injury while with Brazil and missed their game against Peru as a result. He is also a doubt for the game against the Cherries.
How Arsenal could lineup if all 11 players are ruled out
If all the above 11 players are ruled out of the game against Bournemouth on Saturday, the Gunners will be in real trouble.
Squad depth allows you to cover for injuries and unavailability for other reasons, but no club in the world can prepare for a scenario where 11 players are out.
However, if Arsenal’s worst-case scenario comes true, Arteta will have to deal with it, and here’s how we think he will set his side out to play against Bournemouth.
Arsenal’s worst-case scenario XI vs Bournemouth: Raya, Calafiori, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior, Jorginho, Rice, Nwaneri, Sterling, Trossard, Jesus.
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