Five players absent, Arsenal faces a headache ahead of hosting Brentford

Ahead of the Brentford game, Arsenal confronts a manpower crisis with five players sidelined and two mainstays, Saliba and Gabriel, still doubtful for the match.

Arsenal returns to Premier League action this Wednesday aiming to maintain their form after a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Despite having a numerical advantage in the second half, the Gunners conceded immediately after the break through Trevoh Chalobah's goal, before Mikel Merino equalized for the visitors. With this result, Arsenal remain top of the Premier League, five points ahead of Manchester City, but coach Mikel Arteta faces a personnel challenge ahead of the Brentford match.

Key center-back William Saliba is still sidelined due to an injury sustained during training, causing him to miss the Chelsea game. Arteta stated: “We will assess him tomorrow to evaluate the extent of the injury, then we will know more.” Alongside Saliba, Gabriel is still undergoing treatment and has not returned yet to avoid risking worsening the condition. In the Chelsea match, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie replaced these two players.

Additionally, Arsenal are monitoring Leandro Trossard's fitness, who had to leave the pitch during the Champions League match against Bayern Munich last week. The Belgian midfielder has proven vital in attack and would be a strategic option if fit.

Good news for Arteta is that Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard have returned from injury. However, Kai Havertz remains sidelined with a knee issue despite positive progress. Arteta shared: “Havertz and Trossard are not ready yet, but they are making very good progress. The positive point is that the squad has more options ahead of important matches.”

The Brentford match will be an opportunity for Arsenal to test their squad, rotate players, and continue their unbeaten run. It is also an important preparation step for the congested end-of-year schedule, as the Gunners need to maintain their top spot and compete for a Champions League spot next season.

With several key players uncertain to play, Arteta will have to carefully consider tactics and personnel to ensure the team’s strength and stability across all competitions.

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