Mikel Arteta says he’s unconcerned about the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Takehiro Tomiyasu despite both players being substituted during today’s 2-1 win at West Ham.
Tomi, only just back from a series of calf injuries, hit the turf clutching his leg on 78 minutes and was replaced by Cedric Soares while Saka, on the receiving end of the usual roughhouse treatment, made way for Emile Smith Rowe in the closing stages.
Having already travelled to the London Stadium without Ben White, suffering with a tight hamstring, there were, quite understandably, some concerns about the status of the squad heading when the boss faced the press. He was quick to allay fears.
“Ben got injured against Manchester United,” revealed Arteta. “He felt a muscular problem and we checked him, and we will have to assess him in the next few days to see how he is.
“Bukayo was fine, he was really fatigued and he has been through a little injury as well. Tomiyasu has just that he had been out for so long and could not continue.
He added on Tomi: “Hopefully, he’s fine.”
Dealing with injuries isn’t anything new. In the last month, the boss has called on a host of fringe players to plug gaps all over the pitch. For the most part, everybody has stepped up to the mark with aplomb.
Today, it was the turn of Rob Holding to earn plaudits from the manager. The centre-back has predominantly featured off the bench this season but impressed alongside Gabriel Magalhaes in the centre of defence and even grabbed his first-ever Premier League goal.
“I said to you guys, to good people, to good things happen,” said Arteta.
“Rob is another great example, but now when he plays well to give him credit, especially when he doesn’t play, the way he trains, the way he is amongst the team, he’s just a phenomenal person and player to have around the team and today, when you ask him to come he’s always ready to do something.”
Love the way Holding laughs a lot at or with opposition players like Antonio today. Great player to have around the squad.
https://youtu.be/rIh-TwnDQek my favourite Holdinho moment
I’m sorry but I want to see more of our players supporting Eddie with Rice at the end there, he kept squaring up after it was all over and if we had other players join in and raise the temperature we could have gotten him a yellow or shown some backbone. It’s just what I want to see.
Hope Benjamin, Tomi and everyone else recovers asap, I actually thought Pepe would start today, might be smart to consider playing him a bit in run-in to help give Saka a breather, just my thoughts.
I was glad the rest of them kept out of it. Don’t need any reds or suspensions. Eddie stayed Coolio.
I initially thought the same about backing Eddie up, but actually the team had all dropped back in to shape to defend the free kick. If our players had piled back in they’d have left big gaps to take advantage of with a quickly taken one. They handled it the right way to protect the win.
Exactly @Quick. Remember that was how they scored a quick freekick against us last season. WestHam is counter attacking and very trickish team, hence our been very conservative. Though at the time I was frustrated about our sluggishness in the game.
We didn’t need to KO, we had them exactly where we wanted them and we were slowing seeing the game out. Last thing we needed was an incident to pump West Ham and the crowd up for the last few mins.
I had the impression that Ödegard did a great job as a captain by separating them and cooling Eddies head.
The scuffle had already passed, and the close up on Eddie and Rice didn’t show that our guys were back in position – I prefer them not to all come running back again in case the free kick played early.
Not sure what getting Rice booked would’ve achieved at that stage of the match.
Completely happy for him to continue wasting their injury time arguing with himself. Did our jobs for us.
Yeah guys I guess you’re right. Looking back on it Eddie did well to get in their heads and disturb their rhythm.
On holiday, bbc match of the day is the only way I can see the highlights (3G Cornwall)
I haven’t watched match of the day for a few years. Is it me or is it anti Arsenal?
Im paying my license fee no more. Fucking embarrassing. The twat who can pronounce balls better in Italian than English is a pundit.
ffs
I don’t think it’s anti Arsenal no.
Totally.
That crisp seller hates arsenal as his beloved spuds are forever in our shadow.
Mark Chapman did the arsenal & spurs highlights this weekend, not “that crisp seller”
If we get fourth with this squad, given its injuries and thinness, it has to considered a minor miracle. I’ve been amazed at how well the bit-part players have done when they’ve been asked to step up, and how even someone like Xhaka is working hard to keep himself under control and help the team. I still fear we might fall a bit short of fourth, but to be in this position right now is pretty incredible.
If we get 4th(or even 3rd, which is 100% most definitely on), after giving every other team bar Wolves a points head start, Arteta deserves MOTY imo. Spurs were 9 clear after 3 games! 🤣
Love the optimism but 3rd is definitely not on. Chelsea will have to drop points in at least two of their last 4 games, while we win all of ours.
It looks like just 3points but the goal difference makes it more than that.
Let’s just secure 4th please. The way I see it we’re more at risk of dropping to 5th than securing 3rd.
Sp*rs. They only exist to prove that form is temporary.
And lack of class is permanent.
I thought I heard Rob Holding mention his own hamstring as the players were making their way off the pitch. Did anyone else hear that on the, [ahem] USA network stream?
That would be far from ideal. I hope I misheard and that he actually said ‘cheese-string’.
Hilarious and underrated comment
I think we need to rest Saka and let Pepe play for the next game. Fella needs a breather. Hope by spurs match, we have everyone back fresh (not incl tierney n partey). Squad is really thin and hope we manage the players well. 4 more finals to go. Coyg
If Saka has a niggle, the best solution would be Martinelli and ESR on either side.
I thought Eddie was handful today. ..his movement energy and control were excellent …more of the same and with time maturity he can develop to a lethal player.
Thought he was great. A real threat on the break & made the keeper work more often than not. Getting much better at dropping in deep to receive the ball as well.
Been consistently good since stepping in for Laca, so well done to him for picking up form at the best possible time.
was a great effort by the team to mind the gap but I wouldn’t rest Bukayo next week if he can go again. Home to Leeds and sp*ds away at Liverpool is a big chance for a 5 point lead going into the NLD. That would be huge for us. Leeds are in trouble and will be fighting hard, gotta make sure we put them away.
Well put
A bigger points cushion going into NLD would definitely hold that heart attack I’ve been anticipating off a little bit longer….maybe. Maybe I should just stop eating so much cheese.
100% right
Spot on. If we go into the NLD knowing that a defeat isn’t fatal then all the pressure is on them. I think yesterday plus things going the right way next weekend could be the results that seal 4th.
Peep peep!
After the first three games of this season, a Europa League place would be a great achievement.
But now, with where we are, and who stands to profit from our failure, it has to be Champion’s League.
And nothing would give me more pleasure than to qualify at their place.
If Liverpool do the needful and we win the next two games, it is done and dusted.
COYG!