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MIKEL ARTETA DROPS BIG HINT ON POSSIBLE ARSENAL RETURN VS SUNDERLAND

Arsenal's injury crisis deepens ahead of the North London derby, with no players returning to training. Arteta provides no positive updates on Odegaard, Havertz, or Martinelli, casting doubt on their availability for the Spurs clash.

Mikel Arteta Drops Big Hint on Possible Arsenal Return vs Sunderland
Mikel Arteta Gives Positive Arsenal Injury Update, Forwards could make a return this weekend - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Ahead of the North London derby on November 23, Arsenal is in a precarious position as Mikel Arteta oversees an expanding injury list. Although the international break gives breathing room, it also makes it more questionable whether important players will be available. Arteta affirmed that there are no new reinforcements returning to training and that the squad situation has not improved.

Regarding Viktor Gyokeres and the overall injury situation, Arteta stated on Friday morning, "No, no news." We do not change; no one new can join the team. Thus, notwithstanding. With Tottenham coming to Emirates Stadium for one of the team's most important games of the season, it is a time when Arsenal must strike a balance between prudence and preparation.

Some significant individuals continue to be marginalised. Gabriel Martinelli is out due to a thigh problem, while Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, and Noni Madueke are recuperating from knee ailments. Arteta described the ambiguity of their schedules. He remarked, "I do not know some of them, all of them." "I think we will be very close with most of them to be in a really strong position, but there are a lot of things that need to happen in the next two weeks, and everything needs to be right."

The comments highlight how important the next two weeks will be for tactical clarity as well as conditioning. Continuity has been crucial to Arsenal's attacking rhythm, and the manager now needs to look for temporary fixes.

The news about Gabriel Jesus was better. For the first time since undergoing knee surgery in January, the forward resumed full training on Thursday, a milestone that many anticipated to occur near the start of the new year. Arteta is cautious about what comes next, although his recuperation seems to be going more quickly than expected.

Arteta clarified, "I am not sure. It is time to start taking daily steps in a new environment. He has been doing things alone, of course, but now that he has teammates around him, especially very competitive ones, we can see how he handles that. It is nice to have him back, though, and I adore how his teammates responded when he first joined us. He is full of excitement.

His comeback gives the team vitality and leadership, which Arsenal has frequently relied upon in trying times. However, it will take him some time to become used to the full intensity of training, which Arsenal needs to carefully manage.

Greater Context as Fixtures Get Closer to Jesus, Following his absence from training on Monday, Kepa Arrizabalaga was not included in the team that travelled to Prague on Tuesday. Even if they are not as well-known, those problems complicate Arsenal's intentions further.

The upcoming weeks will be characterised by Arteta's adaptability, squad depth, and rehabilitation progress as Sunderland keeps an eye on Arsenal's condition while pursuing their own scouting objectives. As Tottenham gets ready to put its resiliency to the test, Arsenal is aware that availability will influence both selection and tactics as the derby approaches.

WHO IS DAVIDE BARTESAGHI? THE TEEN DEFENDER ARSENAL WANT TO SIGN THIS WINTER

Arsenal remains top of the Premier League after a win at Everton. Now, Mikel Arteta targets AC Milan’s Davide Bartesaghi for January.

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Arsenal Targets Davide Bartesaghi

Arsenal wants to finally grab the Premier League title this year with Mikel Arteta in charge.

They edged out Crystal Palace in a penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup quarter-final after a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night at Emirates Stadium. The team is back on the field Saturday afternoon, playing Brighton and Hove Albion at home in the Premier League.

Last time in the league, the Gunners secured a 1-0 victory at Everton, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring the winning penalty at Goodison Park. After 17 games, the London team is still leading the pack, sitting above Manchester City and Aston Villa in the standings.

Arsenal is keeping an eye on AC Milan defender Davide Bartesaghi.

According to the Italian news source Gazetta Dello Sport, Arsenal is watching AC Milan's Davide Bartesaghi as the January transfer window approaches. They're thinking about bringing the fullback to England this winter. His contract with AC Milan runs until 2030, so the Italian team isn't in a rush to sell him and can afford to wait for the right offer to come in next month.

Bartesaghi, who's 19, began at Atalanta before moving to AC Milan 12 years ago. Since then, he moved through their youth teams and played a lot growing up. The teen started training with the first team back in 2023.

He made his first senior appearance playing for the Italian team in September of that year, in a league game against Hellas Verona. Not long after, he signed his first professional deal. The Italy youth international is now a valuable player with 28 appearances, 13 of which have been this season, and has scored two goals from defence.

Would Davide Bartesaghi be a good fit for Arsenal?

Arsenal might see Bartesaghi as a way to strengthen their defence, giving them more competition and depth. He's young and has the potential to get better.

He could be a smart addition for the long haul, someone they can help to become better in the years ahead. The Erba-born player would compete with Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly for a spot in Arteta’s starting lineup. He’s a left-back who likes to run up and down the defence and join the attack when he can.

Filippo Galli, who used to play for AC Milan, recently spoke highly of Bartesaghi, saying, “We have to give credit to this young man for how he’s grown, and to those who guided him. He's improved at a steady pace, which isn't common. He seems like a very reliable player to me, and that’s a good thing. He plays really well and could even play as a centre-back on the left side. We have to recognise how this kid has one of the best qualities for raising such skills.”

Arsenal’s next opponent, Brighton, is currently 9th in the league, only five points away from the top four. The Seagulls tied 0-0 with Sunderland in their most recent game.

THE HIDDEN TACTICAL REASON GABRIEL MARTINELLI WAS REPLACED BY LEANDRO TROSSARD

Mikel Arteta confirms Gabriel Martinelli "could not carry on" as Arsenal reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals

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Martinelli could not carry on after a knee injury

Mikel Arteta said Gabriel Martinelli couldn't keep playing during their Carabao Cup game, which is a worry for Arsenal.

Martinelli got taken out, and Leandro Trossard came in around the 60-minute mark on Tuesday. Arsenal won thanks to a penalty shoot-out. Kepa Arrizabalaga saved Maxence Lacroix's penalty, which means Arsenal is going to play Chelsea in the semi-finals.

Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi scored late, so the game went to penalties. Before that, it looked like Lacroix's own goal would win it for Arsenal. Arteta said he had to sub Martinelli off because he couldn't carry on.

Even with the injury concern, the Spanish coach was happy his team was getting closer to Wembley.

"Really happy to be in the semi-final," he said. We played a team that doesn't give you many chances. We made a bunch and should've scored more.

He added, "When you don't finish the game, a late goal can happen." The guys were really calm during penalties. They got more aggressive in the second half, but overall, it's another win, and I'm happy.

Kepa, who's been David Raya's backup this season, enjoyed having a chance to shine. The Spanish player wants to finally win the title, since he's been a runner-up twice with Chelsea.

I think we played great, but then things changed, he told Sky Sports after the game. We need to get better at not giving up goals at the last minute.

Before his save from Lacroix, both teams made all seven of their penalties. You have to stay calm and focused and not lose it.

William Saliba scored the winning penalty. He's 24 and was only playing his third game since coming back from an injury. He was relieved they made it through the tough match.

It was a hard game against a great team. "We played well, other than my mistake," the French player said.

We're really happy to be in the semi-final. We need to remember last season (when Arsenal lost to Newcastle in the semi). Kepa saved us in the end. We want to win both games and get to the final.

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