Mikel Arteta has so many issues to address after Arsenal’s 2-1 victory against Wolves.
It was a win that really didn’t feel like an achievement, as Rob Edwards’ bottom-of-the-table side tested the Gunners.
One certainty from the match, which was won thanks to two own goals, was that things have to change, as supporters won’t want to see a performance like that again.
The issue for Arteta is that it wasn’t just the bitterly lacklustre display from his players that was a problem, as once again, injury struck the Arsenal squad.
Fill the gaps: If I were Arsenal manager, I’d sign ______ in January because ________.
Arsenal’s defensive injuries continue to grow 😩!
Mikel Arteta admits he took a risk by playing William Saliba for 90 minutes
Ben White came off injured in the first half, seeing him replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
It was a dire shame to see the 28-year-old pick up yet another injury, but not only due to his recent form.
White’s substitution meant that Arteta’s defensive options were once again exhausted, resulting in William Saliba playing 90 minutes, despite there being a plan to manage his minutes.
In his post-match press conference, the Arsenal manager admitted that he took a dangerous ‘risk’ playing Saliba for as long as he did.
“We had to even risk Wilo today because, probably, it wasn’t their best call to play 90 minutes because we were buying tickets for another injury,” Arteta explained.
“But we don’t have anybody else,” he stressed, adding, “yeah, that’s bad news for sure.”
Arsenal realised Saliba’s importance when he was out, as with Gabriel Magalhaes also missing, the Gunners’ central defensive stability has taken quite a hit.
Thankfully, the defender wasn’t hurt and now has time to rest and recover, but the risk didn’t pay off for White.
Ben White was also risked and it resulted in injury
Also in his post-match press conference, Arteta suggested that White has been playing more football than perhaps anticipated.
What should Arsenal do with Ben White after picking up yet another injury?
Ben White has had no luck in recent times.
“He hasn’t played a lot of minutes because of the previous knee issue that he had,” Arteta said.
“Then the moment he started to get some momentum, he had to play a lot because we didn’t have any other solution.”
With Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera injured and Riccardo Calafiori suspended, it’s become impossible for Arteta to sufficiently manage his returning defenders’ minutes.
It’s a risk that had to be taken against Wolves, one that now leaves White hoping that he’s not booked himself another lengthy lay-off.
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