Mikel Arteta provides Arsenal injury update after double blow

Arsenal's Premier League title momentum is being hampered by a recurring issue: player availability. A narrow win over Brighton highlighted growing concerns about the fitness of key defenders Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, forcing manager Mikel Arteta to navigate an increasingly stretched squad while maintaining pressure at the top of the table.

Riccardo Calafiori was a late withdrawal from the match against Brighton after suffering an issue described internally as an "awkward problem" picked up in training. Named in the starting lineup, he failed to complete the warm-up, forcing a last-minute tactical reshuffle. The club has publicly downplayed the nature of the problem, but there is internal acknowledgment that any muscle or joint issue at this crucial stage carries significant risk, with no firm return date yet set.

Calafiori's absence is a significant blow due to his defensive output and versatility across the back line. His progressive play in possession offers balance to Arsenal's system, and losing him reduces the team's tactical flexibility, placing further strain on a defense already lacking full depth. Arteta revealed the problem surfaced the day before the match and worsened during the warm-up, leading to a cautious approach given the heavy fixture schedule ahead.

Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber's absence was already factored into planning after he suffered an issue in the previous match. His carefully managed recovery process underscores how fragile Arsenal's defensive rotation has become. With Timber unavailable and Calafiori now a doubt, the squad is operating with minimal margin for error.

Arteta now faces the challenge of balancing immediate competitive needs with longer-term player fitness, as pushing for quick returns risks compounding problems later in the season. Publicly, he has maintained a calm and pragmatic tone, emphasizing the squad's adaptability and collective resolve to overcome this adversity.