Eddie Nketiah was again absent from full training as Arsenal gear up for tomorrow’s Europa League second-leg clash with Sporting Lisbon.
The striker continues to nurse an ankle injury and will miss a fourth game in a row after sitting out last week’s trip to Portugal and the wins over Bournemouth and Fulham.
In his pre-game press conference, the boss revealed Nketiah was in a protective boot and had been lucky to avoid a more serious problem.
“He’s getting better. Obviously, he’s still in the boot and a few weeks away and we need to be patient,” he said.
“It was a nasty injury and it’s a challenge he has ahead of him but, thank God, it could have been worse. He’s not in a bad place.”
This time last week, Nketiah’s absence was a bit of a pickle for Mikel Arteta. Thankfully, those concerns have been dampened by the return to fitness of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus, who also missed the midweek trip to the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
No Eddie Nketiah in #AFC training.
— Kaya Kaynak (@kayakaynak97) March 15, 2023
After registering a hat-trick of assists, the Belgian is expected to retain his place on Thursday night while Jesus should be amongst the substitutes as he continues to build up confidence and match fitness.
In addition to the aforementioned injuries, illness robbed Arteta of Kieran Tierney and Martin Odegaard as options in Portugal.
All the same, his side came away with a 2-2 draw and now have home advantage (albeit without the away goals rule) as they look to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Sad for Eggie 😭
Are you trying to make make us laugh by making a yolk?
Shame for Eddie, he probably would have started these Lisbon games.
Well, he is a good poacher…
Godspeed healing
Start for Smith Rowe tomorrow surely?
Hope so. I’d like to see his first start back being in Europe rather than in the league anyway. Being at home tomorrow seems like an opportune time.
No problem say I.
We’re going to need our Eddie ready for the post interlull Premiership push.
Leo and Gabby M can spearheaded the Europa and Palace with maybe Jesus on the bench or maybe even getting a start himself or two himself.
A little bit disrespectful to Eddie. He’s been massive for us, and a big reason we are still 5 points clear. I get what you are saying Q, but I’m gutted for the lad, looks like it could be his season over
It seems this season everyone has a role to play to lift the team at a particular stretch of games when we needed it. Xhaka early season, Jesus early season, Saka’s individual effort when we can’t break the other side down as a team, MO taking the game by the scruff of the neck and pushing the team upfield, Elneny in for Partey, Trossard unleashing little Gabi, Jesus returning immediately when Eddie was injured. Arteta has created an interchangeable technically gifted squad who are all hungry and believe they can win it all. What a time to be alive and… Read more »
In his last 5 premiership games he scored zero and created one chance. Eddie did well for us and I am forever grateful. He is however not the level we need to bring home the title. The difference with Jesus and trossard is immense. Come on you gunners.
My Bad grammar! 😂
Bad capitalisation also
Not as much a loss as it was until a week or two ago, though good luck to Eddie getting back to full fitness asap.
There’s a case to see any of Turner, Tomiyasu, Kiwior, Tierney, Jorginho, Vieira, ESR all start. Maybe even Nelson too. But I doubt Mikel would be brave enough to make 7 or 8 changes.
Not sure if Leo starts; coming back from injury and presumably wanting him to start against Palace, 3 starts in 8 days may be too heavy.
Martinelli wasn’t called up to the latest Brazil squad so he’ll probably start.
Gabriel got a rest last week so I suspect Saliba gets the rest tomorrow.
Not sure who I would send on as starters, difficult decision. Ideally we would start the big guns, be 3-0 up at half time like on Sunday, then sub off 4 at the break and leave one sub for a potential injury. But the chance of a 2-0 or 3-0 lead at half time is not super high. Worst case would be if we draw or are even behind at minute 60, then send on the big guns, but are still forced to enter 30 minutes of extra time. I believe it’s a grave difference for body and nerves to… Read more »
2020 and today – we are a very different team quality wise and mentally… Think we’ll win as with fulham, not easy, but with control.
How is Martinelli not getting called up for Brazil….
Delighted he gets a rest from a gooner perspective but gutted for him on a human level
Brazil is weird, and they called up Antony. Not near enough form to call him up, at least in comparison to Martinelli. Will also never understand how they never call up big Gabi. But to be honest, I am not complaining, they can leave our Gabi’s out, they get some rest and continue to do the business here where it counts.
Wonder if the guy picking the Brazil squad is mates with Edu? If not, that could be a possible reason. Anthony over Martinelli decision couldn’t have been made for strictly footballing reasons unless they know Martinelli is in the squad and they are trying to see what Anthony has in him.