Arteta Fears Injuries Could Derail Arsenal’s Quadruple Bid.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said he fears his side’s mounting injury problems could
damage their push for four trophies after the Premier League leaders defeated Wigan
Athletic 4-0 in the FA Cup fourth round at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
Goals from Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, a Jack Hunt own goal and Gabriel Jesus
inside the opening 27 minutes sealed a routine victory.
However, the win came at a cost. Riccardo Calafiori was ruled out after suffering an
issue in the warm-up, Ben White was forced off in the second half, and captain Martin
Odegaard missed out following a knock against Brentford.
Kai Havertz is sidelined for the rest of the month, while Mikel Merino is out for the
season after foot surgery.
With Arsenal four points clear at the top of the league, into the Champions League last
16 and preparing to face Manchester City in the League Cup final, Arteta admitted the
situation is becoming a concern.
“Yes. Before it was the strikers, then it was the defenders and now it is the midfielders,”
he said. “We are coping with that. But we need some players back and fit, not only for
numbers but different options in relation to the opponents we have, so the quicker they
are back the better.”
There was encouragement from Eberechi Eze, who registered two assists after recent
criticism of his form. Arteta stressed the importance of such contributions for creative
players.
“Those players need those moments, and especially when we talk about the creative
players, they need to feel that they are producing those moments,” he said.
“I am very happy with that. For the mood, for the confidence, it is really a good thing.
The risks he took in the final third and the amount of shots that he tried to take too, it
was really positive and that is what we want from him.”
Arsenal travel to Wolves on Wednesday before next weekend’s North London derby at
Tottenham.