Arsenal have confirmed that they now have six players out injured despite having returned to competitive action only a few days ago.
Pablo Mari is expected to be out for an extended period with an ankle injury he picked up in the first half against Manchester City, while Granit Xhaka also has a sprained ankle which will keep him out for a couple of weeks.
Sokratis (thigh), Lucas Torreira (ankle), Cedric Soares (nose) and Calum Chambers (knee) will also be missing when the Gunners face Brighton this afternoon. Fans on Twitter are not happy about the current injury situation:
Hospital FC Back again
— . (@SG_12) June 19, 2020
Do we even have a team
— marchingintoourshadow (@D10M16) June 19, 2020
We have no holding midfielders and average cbs???
— out of context troopz (@outofcontextygm) June 19, 2020
Fit defenders:
Mustafi
Holding
Ballard
Medleysheesh.
— GoalFather (@TheGoalFather10) June 19, 2020
I feel soooo bad for Leno & Arteta … Our physio department should really get investigated at this point. The amount of injuries now is more than coincidence or freak-accidents
they legit don't know how to keep our boys healthy, strong & fit #timeforchange
— Bills Mafia Gunner (@BillsMafiaGoon) June 19, 2020
That escalated quickly
— Smart Cente (@OK__Innocent) June 19, 2020
For over three months of no football action, @Arsenal came back with a list of injured players, while other teams have their players back full and fit.
— Otunba Paul Makanjuola (@paul_makanjuola) June 19, 2020
This team is cursed
— Olamide (@Hollarmss) June 19, 2020
Arsenal: The Gift that Keeps on Giving
— Omaido (@RonnPerez) June 19, 2020
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta will have very limited options when he picks his team to face the Seagulls. David Luiz‘s suspension means he only has two available centre-backs in Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi.
In midfield too, he will have little choice but to select Matteo Guendouzi and Dani Ceballos, unless he decides to play Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the middle of the park.