Two games, two defeats, two trophies slip out of Arsenal’s grasp. If they are to grab Champions League and/or Premier League glory they must bounce back this week.
Mikel Arteta called on his side to show what they are made of after the FA Cup loss at Southampton followed a Carabao Cup final defeat to Man City – but his selection options are significantly limited amid an injury crisis.
Eleven Arsenal players ruled themselves out of international duty during the March break. That led to some jibes about the Gunners saving their energies for club football. But Arteta’s selection at Southampton and a subsequent open training session on Monday suggested the Arsenal boss has serious problems on his hands.
With Sporting away in the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday and then Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in a tricky Premier League encounter on Saturday, Arteta may need to delve deep into his squad to find solutions amid a season-defining run of games.
Goalkeeper
Ross Stewart wheels away after giving Southampton the lead against Arsenal
Arteta was criticised for selecting Kepa Arrizabalaga for the Carabao Cup final, in which Arsenal’s back-up keeper made a big error for Man City’s opener. But he doubled down on backing Kepa by picking him again at Southampton, where Arsenal’s defence was poor and shipped two goals to go out of the FA Cup. First-choice David Raya was an unused sub in both games and will surely come back in against Sporting and Bournemouth.
Who starts vs Sporting? The smart money will be on Raya.
Right-back
Arsenal’s Ben White was at fault for the first Southampton goal
Ben White made an error for Southampton’s first goal on Saturday. The England international only came back into the starting XI after Jurrien Timber’s ankle injury. But Arteta is hopeful Timber, who will miss the Sporting first leg, will return on Saturday for the Premier League home game against Bournemouth. But for now, Arteta has no obvious alternative to White for the trip to Sporting.
Who starts vs Sporting? It looks like White will get the nod again.
Centre-back
“When a player is asking to be substituted, it’s never good news,” said Arteta after Gabriel limped out of the tie with Southampton, immediately casting doubt on his availability to face Sporting. Gabriel had ice on his left knee, having missed Brazil duty with pain in his right knee, but was back in full training with his team-mates on Monday and is available for Tuesday’s game.
His regular centre-back partner William Saliba replaced Gabriel but had missed France duty himself. Is he able to play a full 90? Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori are the other options in that position.
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Soccer Special’s Michael Dawson and Kris Boyd have their say on what impact defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup could have on Arsenal’s Premier League title ambitions.
Who starts vs Sporting? Arsenal’s first-choice pair of Saliba and Gabriel look like they will be fit to resume their partnership, but Calafiori may be otherwise required in Portugal.
Left-back
Piero Hincapie had established himself as Arsenal’s first-choice left-back but suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Ecuador during the international break, wasn’t involved at Southampton and has not returned to training. Myles Lewis-Skelly played on Saturday, with Calafiori the other possible fit option.
Who starts vs Sporting? It looks like Calafiori or Lewis-Skelly will take up the spot.
Midfield
Declan Rice will return against Sporting
Arsenal fans will be boosted by the return of Declan Rice on Tuesday, after he was back on the grass alongside his team-mates ahead of the trip to Portugal and confirmed to be available. Arteta suggested Rice and Bukayo Saka had been at “70 per cent” and “on the edge” when explaining why they pulled out of England duty and they subsequently weren’t involved at St Mary’s.
Martin Zubimendi came on as a sub at Southampton having experienced knee pain with Spain, while Martin Odegaard made his first start since January with Christian Norgaard fielded too.
Eberechi Eze is still unavailable due to a calf injury, while Mikel Merino is in a race to feature again this season after his foot surgery in February.
Who starts vs Sporting? Arteta may have to risk Rice, while captain Odegaard and Zubimendi are likely required to go again.
Wingers
Saka’s absence will continue against Sporting for the first leg, but Arteta is hopeful he will return for the visit of Bournemouth on Saturday. With that in mind, the return of Leandro Trossard for the Sporting clash is a boost following his hip issue. Sixteen-year-old Max Dowman and Gabriel Martinelli played the full 90 at Southampton.
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Arsenal train ahead of the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting – including a bizarre drill where the players tried to balance pens while dribbling – but there was no sign of Bukayo Saka.
Noni Madueke avoided a bad knee injury while with England and came off the bench at the weekend.
Who starts vs Sporting? Can Madueke start in the absence of Saka? Surely Dowman won’t be asked to start again after a full shift at Southampton – but Martinelli might get another run-out on the left, with Trossard returning from injury.
Up front
Viktor Gyokeres made a goalscoring contribution from the bench at Southampton and will be itching to face his former club Sporting in the Champions League on Tuesday. Kai Havertz, who played an attacking midfield role at Southampton, is another option at No 9, as is Gabriel Jesus, although he has largely had a bit-part role in Premier League and Champions League games of late.
Who starts vs Sporting? Back in Portugal, Gyokeres is surely nailed on for a start against his old side. That would give Havertz a reduced workload, with the German potentially coming back in against Bournemouth at the weekend.
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