back-to-back defeats threatening to leave their season short once more. Mikel Arteta’s side have gone from being in control of their Premier League fate and in with a shot of a European semi-final, to hanging on.
Defeat to Bayern Munich on Wednesday gives the head coach just two full days of rest to prepare now for what looks to be a tricky domestic trip to Wolves on Saturday. Despite the doom and gloom of the past week, victory would take them top, at least temporarily, with Liverpool not in action until Sunday.
Manchester City could be four points behind by the time they next play due to FA Cup semi-final commitments this weekend. It offers a chance for Arsenal to react.
They will have a nearly fully-fit squad for the match against Gary O’Neill’s side at Molineux. Here, football.london has the latest from the Arsenal treatment room.
Martin Odegaard
The Arsenal captain was unable to complete the full game against Aston Villa on Sunday and was taken off with ten minutes to go. He then went down in the first-half against Bayern but was eventually fine to finish the game.
Injury: Unknown.
What Arteta has said: N/A.
Potential return date: N/A.
Bukayo Saka
Saka was seen limping toward the end of the Villa defeat. He came close to scoring in the first half but struggled to impact the game after the break and played the full 90 at Bayern.
Injury: Unknown.
What Arteta has said: N/A
Potential return date: N/A.
Jurrien Timber
The defender has been recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered back in August during the Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest. His only other appearance came in the Community Shield against Manchester City.
Timber has been in team training since before the recent international break. Despite Arteta’s hope that he will play again this season, he was not in the squad to face Villa or Bayern.
Injury: Knee.
What Arteta has said: “Still he’s got a few steps to make. He needs to play at least a game with the 23s. We’re going to have an in house game too soon. He’s done everything in training now it’s about getting him match fit, having people around him and competing in a football match which is different to training. From what we’ve seen in training and the time that he was fit, he’s going to have a big, big impact in the team.”
