Mikel Arteta finds himself grappling with a pressing issue that could hinder Arsenal's ambitions across four competitions: an ever-growing injury list. As he prepares for the highly anticipated Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea on Wednesday, Arteta expressed concerns over the fitness of key players, particularly William Saliba, whose participation remains uncertain due to an unspecified injury.
In a previous FA Cup match against Portsmouth, both Saliba and Leandro Trossard were absent, initially thought to be a strategic decision for rest. However, Arteta clarified on Tuesday that Saliba's injury could prevent him from stepping onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge, with Trossard also being a doubtful contender.
Additionally, the team faces challenges with Piero Hincapié and Riccardo Calafiori sidelined due to groin and muscular injuries, respectively. Cristhian Mosquera is making strides in his recovery from an ankle injury but isn’t expected to return to action until next month.
This predicament means Arsenal may once again have to rely on Christian Nørgaard, who has had to adapt to a center-back role in recent matches, including his performance at Fratton Park. Unlike past games where Declan Rice filled in at right-back, this time, he is anticipated to return to his usual position with Ben White back in the lineup.
When questioned about the impact of defensive injuries on Arsenal's quest for silverware this season, Arteta candidly admitted, "Yes, because we have experienced that first of all in the front line and then in the back line. But we are trying to find solutions to protect our players."
He added that players like Christian and Declan have shown remarkable adaptability, stepping into different roles seamlessly. "We need to navigate through the next few weeks under these circumstances, and I’m confident we will manage it well," Arteta remarked.
Nørgaard, who joined Arsenal from Brentford during the summer transfer window, is yet to make his first Premier League start. Arteta emphasized his readiness to play any position as needed, highlighting his versatility.
Saliba has faced setbacks this season, having been sidelined twice due to an ankle issue that forced him to miss several fixtures in December. This ongoing injury problem marks the eighth central defensive partnership Arsenal has had to deploy this season, a testament to the challenges they are currently facing.
Looking back, last year’s semifinal saw Arsenal suffer a painful 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle in the first leg, resulting in a 4-0 aggregate exit from the tournament against the eventual champions. Arteta hopes that his squad has taken valuable lessons from that disappointing experience as they strive to secure their first major trophy since the FA Cup victory in 2020.
"Football gives you another chance," Arteta noted optimistically. "We have shown consistent performance in this competition, and now we must eliminate another strong team to reach the final. That’s our objective. Hopefully, we’ve learned from last year’s painful experience, especially considering how the matches unfolded and the numerous opportunities we squandered.
This year, we aim to be more effective and efficient. The more we engage in these high-stakes matches, the greater our advantage becomes. These experiences provide the team with a unique energy and remind us how close we are to our goal, which serves as tremendous motivation for everyone involved. We recognize that we are just two games away from competing in a final.
