Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta made a concerning statement after Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth-round win over Mansfield Town.
The Gunners boss made plenty of changes to his starting line-up and even left a few of his players, like Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Zubimendi, back at home.
Everyone thought they were all being rested, but Arteta claimed after the win against Mansfield that those three players are struggling with issues.
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Mikel Arteta says Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and Martin Zubimendi are carrying injuries
Rice, Gabriel and Zubimendi are usually among the first names on Arsenal’s teamsheet every week.
The trio have been integral to the Gunners this season, and every time they start, Mikel Arteta’s chances of victory increase.
The three Arsenal stars did not travel with the squad for the game against Mansfield Town at Field Mill.
After the game, Arteta was asked if Rice, Gabriel and Zubimendi were just rested. The Arsenal boss revealed that all three players were not fully fit.
He said, as relayed on HaytersTV: “They had issues, and they’ve been carrying issues. And the amount of games that we are playing, it’s obviously super demanding.
“It was the only time to try to make sure that we can clean those issues that they’re having to start the next sequence of two weeks before the break in the best possible way.
“We had to make those decisions.”
It is scary to hear that Rice, Gabriel and Zubimendi are carrying injuries, but it seems as though there is nothing major and they should be back for Arsenal’s next game.
We hope that is the case.
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Arteta was absolutely right to leave Zubimendi, Rice and Gabriel at home after finding out that they were not fit.
The Gunners have a gruelling end to the season coming up. They are involved in all four competitions and will need all their players in the best condition.
Arsenal’s next game is against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, and if any of the three names above are at risk of an injury, they should not be involved.
The same applies to William Saliba, who is suffering from an ankle injury and has not been available since the Brighton and Hove Albion game.
Arsenal have enough quality in their squad to beat Leverkusen with some of their key players missing.
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