Arsenal had to contend with a number of injuries ahead of the 3-1 win over Burnley today, but one of the more surprising ones was the absence of Ben White.
He is player who is rarely injured, and who has often played through the pain to help his team, but Mikel Arteta revealed the club’s medical team made an executive decision to take him out of the firing line for today’s game.
Speaking afterwards, Arteta said, “Yesterday in training he wasn’t comfortable. He didn’t look right, but Ben won’t give you much.
“He always wants to be on the pitch and he wants to hide anything that is in there. But we highlighted something happening there that we noticed in the last two weeks as well.
“We wanted to protect him today. It was the right call from the physios and the medical department and tomorrow we will assess him and understand what’s happening.”
Thankfully there’s now a two week gap before the next game, so hopefully he’ll be ok after the Interlull. The same applies for Martin Odegaard who also missed out today, and there wasn’t full clarity on his situation.
Asked if he would be going away with Norway for their games against the Faroe Islands and Scotland, Arteta said, “I don’t know. I am going to have a meeting now with the medical department and Edu to understand everyone’s situation but I think he is going to be back after the international break.
“I don’t know exactly what is the decision and the communication at the moment.”
Fingers crossed for him too.
offtopic but karma for saudicastle
“Sandcastle”
I actually dislike them more than anyone else at the moment. Except Spurs, who also lost (haha). I think it’s the whole we’re a big club even though we’ve won nothing for 50 years delusional/fickle fans, nefarious ownership, corruption and dirty players is a toxic mix of bile.
Also, the plucky underdog label from the media makes me quite sick.
I don’t really see either of them as a threat this season. Think only Arsenal and Liverpool can push City.
Was amusing Trippier having a barney with the Goon Army.
Newcastle will be in the mix for sure. Their owners pay the bills.
Who’s, the refs?
I see Guimares was suspended for the match! Was that for being a snidey, cheating little cunt?
That but also for a 5th yellow 😒
‘ The Brazilian was shown his fifth yellow card of the season in the latter stages of the game, meaning he’ll serve a one-match suspension for this weekend’s long trip to Bournemouth.’
He was actively trying to get that card in our game so he’d miss an ‘easy’ fixture. Gotta love how that worked out for Newcastle.
Are they the most cynical team since Maureens Chelsea?, I prefer not to speak….
Another game that we were defensively solid and sloppy up front. Not sure if this has anything to do with Odegard and also Ben White missing, but most of our attacks were on the left, and Martinelli put in a great shift. 10/10 for his work rate but the final products of his passes, shots, and players that received his passes were below standard. Saka a great bond with Odegard and Ben White and we really missed that today. Havertz and Rice do a great job off the ball but I feel like they should both have more shots and… Read more »
Martinelli had a few incredible passes today, one of them a pinpoint cross to Saka with the outside of his boot which got wasted. If David Silva or De Bruyne do that pass (and they have) they get hailed as geniuses.
He did great work today, but for what he is putting in we should get more and yes the other player receiving the ball is also responsible to finish the move or work the goalkeeper.
Exactly, you said it, it’s not all on him. I do think actually he’s often been guilty of a not ultra precise final ball (happened a lot a few days ago vs Sevilla actually) just think it’s important to note signs of progress, which he’s also shown.
Happy with the win. I just mostly feel pissed about how corrupt the league is. Zinny was marvelous – that ninja goal was cool!, tross a spark; and just a great player to have . Saliba might be the best defender in the world. Rice one of the best midfielders. I’m still feeling pissed because we should be leading the league, but we’re getting fucking screwed every game. Even here, we win but it’s overshadowed by a terrible missed foul on their goal that is a foul every time the other way and a red that has no consistency to… Read more »
I actually noticed Burnley forced us left with their shape. Interesting tactic because Martinelli is so good. I guess teams are just that scared of Saka. I don’t think the left favour was an arsenal choice, it was what we got offered more.
Am I the only one that thinks there is more than physical injury to the Odegaard situation? The wording is off, the whole pattern is too.
Hopefully nothing more than a tweak and a rest for Ben, whats more worrying is our captains injury, we all know what a top player Martin is and could see in his last two performances were below par for him, obviously he’s been carrying an injury, the only good thing these internationals bring is a bit of time off for recovery unless you are are Rice or Saka
White absence is not a problem, since Tomi is our best/most consistent player in the season so far.
Unfortunately the same can’t be said about the captain. With Martin the team looks more fluid and he combines very well with Saka (plus with him we don’t have to play 10v11).
Overall, great points for us.
Would I be petty ,if I call out the disallowed goal due to the foul given on Saka, which was basically a one handed push. I thought these were ok….
or is it because he did not use two hands and forgot to ride the defender like a fairground pony, while calming him by caressing his neck.
Not sure why Arteta game the Refs a clean slate there, I would have mentioned it. May be the conversations with Refs have been more constructive than we expect…