WILLIAM SALIBA'S "BIZARRE" ISSUE: WILL HE PLAY VS. BRENTFORD?
Arsenal faces a defensive crisis vs. Brentford with both William Saliba and Gabriel sidelined. Arteta praised the team's resilience but expressed "desperation" to have Havertz back for a "massive boost."
Mikel Arteta gave different updates on Arsenal's injured centre-backs, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, who are both trying to recover.
The team plays Brentford on Wednesday night, shortly after a tough 1-1 draw with Chelsea, which keeps them six points ahead.
Saliba was with the squad at Stamford Bridge but was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup because he got hurt during training.
Earlier in the year, the 24-year-old missed some time with an ankle injury. Arteta said on Tuesday morning that he's feeling hopeful about Saliba's current issue, but facing Brentford might be tight.
Arteta initially avoided questions about injuries, saying he couldn't provide much information since they had another training session. He added they wouldn't know what was happening with some players until after that session.
But when asked about Saliba, he said it was just a minor issue, and he expects him back in a few days.
He mentioned Saliba's earlier ankle injury was random and unlucky, sidelining him for weeks. He tried playing at Anfield but wasn't comfortable. This new injury is also strange, but he hopes it will only take a few days to recover.
The news wasn't as good for Gabriel, who's dealing with a thigh injury from international duty last month. He might be out until after Christmas.
Arteta said Gabriel is doing well, but his return will take weeks.
Against Chelsea, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie filled in at centre-back. They might have to do the same against Brentford.
Arsenal's squad is getting healthier after several injuries. Arteta confirmed that Leandro Trossard will be back in a few days, and Gabriel Jesus is getting back into shape after being out for a long time.
He said the players' attitude and performance in dealing with these absences have been important this season because they've had to deal with a lot.
Another player who's been out for a while, Kai Havertz, is getting closer to returning but isn't quite ready yet.
Arteta confirmed that Havertz will be out for a few weeks and isn't sure if he'll be back by the end of the month. He added that Havertz is doing well and is working on the field, but needs more time.
When asked if he was frustrated to lose Havertz as an attacking option, Arteta admitted his return would make a big difference, and the team is eager to have him back.
Arteta said he really likes Havertz for what he offers the team, including his character and personality. He sees how much Havertz suffers from being out.
He added that Havertz has always been available, and he can't wait to have him back playing because it will be a big boost for the team.
STATEMENT WIN: NONI MADUEKE SILENCES CRITICS WITH DOUBLE AS ARSENAL MAKES HISTORY
Noni Madueke, facing summer criticism, scored a brilliant double as Arsenal secured a historic sixth straight UCL win. Martinelli also set a major club record.
Arsenal and Gabriel Martinelli had a night to remember, but Noni Madueke might have been the happiest. After facing some online backlash for moving from Chelsea to Arsenal in the summer, Madueke, making a rare start on the right while Bukayo Saka rested, scored a super goal and then another in the second half, helping Arsenal win comfortably.
Arsenal is now only the fifth English squad to win their first six Champions League or European Cup games. They are close to making it to the last 16; they just need one more point.
Martinelli also had a great moment. His amazing curling shot means he's the first Arsenal player to score in five straight Champions League matches. Plus, Gabriel Jesus played for the first time in almost a year after recovering from a knee injury, so it was mostly the kind of result manager Mikel Arteta wanted after their loss to Aston Villa.
Without Declan Rice, who was sick, Arteta said he would change the starting lineup after the Villa loss. But there was further news before the game: Jurriën Timber was still hurt from the Villa match. This meant Christian Nørgaard and Piero Hincapié were the seventh different centre-back pairing for Arsenal this season. Riccardo Calafiori was only well enough to be on the bench, joining 16-year-old Marli Salmon, showing how thin Arsenal's squad is right now.
Considering the injuries, it wasn't the best time to play Club Brugge, who wanted to do well for their new coach, Ivan Leko, after Nicky Hayen was let go on Monday. Three losses in the last four games were the end for Hayen, who won the Belgian title last season. Leko, who also won the title in his first time as coach in 2018, now has the job of turning things around.
Even though Brugge played well in a 3-3 game against Barcelona last month, their defence has been shaky, and Arsenal showed they meant business early. Martin Ødegaard forced Dani van den Heuvel to make a save after just six minutes. Carlos Forbs, who used to play for Wolves, was a problem for Myles Lewis-Skelly, but Lewis-Skelly managed to get forward and saw his shot go off Hincapié and hit the post. Then, Madueke got the ball in Brugge's half and made a great move past his defender. He got past two more defenders and then fired an unstoppable shot that went in off the crossbar.
That goal could have won any game, but Brugge was still dangerous, especially with Forbs. Raya saved a shot from Forbs, and Aleksandar Stankovic almost scored from far away. Brugge was getting more confident. Christos Tzolis found some space in the box just before halftime, but Raya saw what he was planning. Then, Raya made another save to stop Stankovic.
Van den Heuvel had stopped Madueke from scoring again at the end of the first half, but Madueke got his second goal soon after halftime. Martín Zubimendi sent in a great cross from the left, and Madueke was there to knock it in. Not long after, Martinelli made his own history, cutting in from the left and scoring an amazing curling shot to make it 3-0.
Jesus almost scored in his return, but his shot hit the crossbar. Salmon, who played well with Max Dowman for Arsenal's Under-18s last season, also played his first Champions League game for the final few minutes and looked good as Arsenal moved closer to winning a trophy.
NEW FRONT THREE: MADUEKE, GYOKERES SET TO SHINE IN UCL ROTATION GAME.
After their unbeaten run ended, Arsenal will rotate heavily for the Club Brugge UCL clash. Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri are tipped to start as key players rest.
Arsenal heads to Club Brugge for Wednesday's Champions League game after their 18-game unbeaten run ended with a tough 2-1 loss to Aston Villa last weekend.
Now, the team's focus is on the Champions League, where they're set to play Club Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
With the busy schedule lately, manager Mikel Arteta will likely make at least six changes to the starting lineup.
Players like Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Bukayo Saka could get a rest on the bench.
Arsenal currently leads its Champions League group with 15 points, three ahead of the other teams.
This game is a good chance for Arteta to switch things up and keep important players fresh for what’s ahead.
Here are changes Mikel Arteta might make:
Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back
Riccardo Calafiori is out for Saturday’s game against Wolverhampton Wanderers due to his fifth yellow card.
Myles Lewis-Skelly is likely to step in for Calafiori at left-back this weekend. We think he’ll also start against Club Brugge, as he’s been in the starting lineup for three of the last four European matches.
Reports say Calafiori was seen leaving Villa Park with a limp. Because of this, he might only come on as a substitute against Club Brugge if needed.
Christian Norgaard and & Ethan Nwaneri in midfield
Declan Rice was a defensive machine against Villa, making 21 important plays. He looked tired after the defeat and needed a break.
He’s been a regular for Arsenal in every competition and for England too. This seems like the right time to give him a game off.
Likewise, Martin Zubimendi and Martin Odegaard could also use some rest. Odegaard just came back from his third injury this season, so he might start on the bench.
Christian Norgaard could take Zubimendi's spot in the number six role. Mikel Merino might move to central midfield, with Ethan Nwaneri playing as the attacking midfielder.
New-look front three
The front three could look different against the Belgian side. Saka might start on the bench, giving Noni Madueke a chance on the right wing.
The former Chelsea player scored his first Arsenal goal in the 3-1 win over Bayern Munich.
Viktor Gyokeres is in line to start for the first time in over a month after three substitute appearances. He’s eager to impress, especially since Merino has been the preferred choice upfront recently.
Eberechi Eze had a tough game on Saturday, and his poor defending played a part in Villa’s first goal. He was taken off at halftime along with Merino.
Eze could also start on the bench on Wednesday as part of the rotation. Gabriel Martinelli could get the nod on the left wing over Leandro Trossard, who doesn’t seem to be fully fit.
Despite being a substitute, Trossard was taken off in the 86th minute because of a calf issue.
It’s unlikely the 31-year-old will be risked from the start against Club Brugge. Martinelli has been impressive in the Champions League this season, scoring in each of his four games.
Elsewhere, David Raya, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, and Piero Hincapie are likely to keep their places in the lineup.
Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, and Kai Havertz are out with injuries until next year. It’s also uncertain if William Saliba will be ready to return on Wednesday night.