Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are dealing with a sickness bug in the camp as he explained why Benjamin White had to be substituted in the second half of the 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Leeds United.
The centre-back received medical treatment 10 minutes into the second half and it was decided he couldn’t continue. As the crowd tried to figure out what had happened, his replacement, Calum Chambers, put the Gunners ahead with his first touch.
The Gunners secured safe passage to the quarter-finals of the competition thanks to Eddie Nketiah after the striker took advantage of lax defending by Leeds.
Looking ahead to Arsenal’s trip with Leicester on Saturday, Arteta explained the decision to sub White and provided an update on Pablo Mari, who was due to start.
“There is a bug going on,” said Arteta in his post-game press conference.
“We lost Pablo [Mari] today as well as he wasn’t feeling great. Ben had it as well for the last day or two. He wasn’t feeling great, so we decided to take him off.”
The boss also discussed the absence of Kieran Tierney, absent for a second game in succession, and Martin Odegaard.
“They are both out with two different injuries,” he said. “They tried yesterday but they didn’t feel great. Hopefully in the next few days, they can feel better and be available for Leicester.”
Oh. Thank goodness it’s just the bug. We need everyone. Absolutely everyone! COYG! Let’s keep up this momentum!
White was brilliant before he went off, hopefully he’s feeling better for Saturday
He’s starting to look like a real player, he was good on the weekend as well
He has this phase where he switches suddenly from a CB to a box to box mid fielder and it’s a total stunner for the defending team. Hope to see more of that in the coming days
Mind games
My little boy’s in nursery and I gotta say, there’s some crazy colds and whatnot going around. He’s bringing them all home and we are just getting floored repeatedly.
Get well soon lads. Really hope you’re ok for Leicester. Proper 6 pointer that.
I think it’s everywhere. I teach freshmen at a university in the U.S. and students are constantly sick this year, fortunately not with Covid most of the time. I don’t enjoy teaching with a mask on and not being able to see their faces, but considering how much crap is going around, it’s probably for the best in more ways than I’d expected.
I’m personally quietly happy when I get them. I think we could all use the immune repair.
Apparently it’s fallout from the lockdowns, our immune systems going on standby for a year means they are a little bit with the handbrake on when they need to work now.
You really said that. Hats off to you
Arsene, is that you?
Based on my extensive study of immunology (I read an article in The Guardian recently), this sounds right–but it could be complete nonsense.
I got taken out for two weeks by something my niece was carrying around! Brutal. I really feel for those with little ones who get sick and recover just to get sick again. Hope you all feel better soon.
Welcome to the germ factory (Nursery). Never had so many colds 😅.
Hopefully Rodgers picks something up and shits the bed Saturday.
This. Absolutely this. It’s been continuous for months. Colds. Coughs. Vomiting. Pooing.
Interesting to hear from MA that Ben White and ESR were only put in the starting lineup for this game because of injury/illness to Mari and MO – otherwise it would have been 11 changes from the Villa game! I feel the way blogs feels about Kola and Cedric but overall it’s nice that we have a squad that can win us games and give the first team a breather so they don’t always have to be in the red zone.
I might being going overboard, but if White had the illness is it wise that he played and was mixing with the rest of the squad? He could pass it on to other players who then aren’t available for Saturday.
I would hazard a guess that if it was something that can be spread through physical contact, the medical guys wouldn’t allow him to go on, it would be irresponsible I think
Why did BW play if he was a bit off?