Injury crisis, red card problem, title race pressure - Mikel Arteta gets critical Arsenal warning

Arsenal have enjoyed a successful week on the pitch but face a number of problems away from the field of play. The Gunners have been far from full strength of late due to injury and suspension, with the issues not letting up.

Of course, captain Martin Odegaard remains unavailable through injury and might not be back for some time yet while summer recruit Mikel Merino is still nursing the shoulder problem sustained in his first training session. Leandro Trossard missed Wednesday's win over Bolton, adding to the mental gymnastics needed by Mikel Arteta to get a team out, although the Belgian was able to make a triumphant return against Leicester City on Saturday just when it looked like the Gunners had thrown away victory.

He received Arsenal's second red card of the season against Manchester City for the same reason Declan Rice did against Brighton - a second yellow for kicking the ball away. There has since been debate about whether Arteta ought to address this trend.

At the same time, the Gunners boss has had other pressing matters on the mind, such as the fitness of David Raya. The goalkeeper has been managing a muscle injury that saw him replaced by 16-year-old Jack Porter in midweek.

With so many potential absentees, there is a sense Arteta is putting out fires around him whilst being tasked with hunting down Manchester City. But are Arsenal in fact facing a larger crisis? Our football.london writers have their say.

Isaac Johnson

The word 'crisis' is too strong, but I do think Arteta needs to be mindful. Not so much for the red cards picked up for kicking the ball away, because the lesson will have been learnt after last Sunday - or ought to have been.

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But while Arsenal are steeped in defensive options, the same cannot be said in other areas of the pitch. Injuries will happen this season due to the schedule containing more games and we’ve seen two in midfield (Odegaard and Merino) that have significantly weakened its strength.

This would also be the case if just one of the centre-forward options is sidelined, with Gabriel Jesus having a history of setbacks and Arsenal’s set-up somewhat frustrated if Kai Havertz is out. And in goal, when available, Neto is still a major downgrade on Raya.

I’m hesitant to brand anything a crisis given the forthcoming return of a number of players in the next week and month. But it’s not hard to see how match-load could prove a headache for Arteta in the long-term. Thank goodness for the emerging academy talents, then.

Tom Coley

Arsenal are fine. They're now a target of criticism because they're good, because they're a threat. The narrative turns when you challenge at the top and they are established competitors now.

What they cannot do is let the outside noise distract them from the task at hand. They cannot allow themselves to become victims and to feel like the world is against them.

Although creating a siege mentality has benefited Arteta in the past two years, there must be a way of controlling emotions and looking at what can be controlled. Arsenal cannot be blaming everything and everyone else. Going inwards and identifying the factors really at play for results, performances, and notable events like red cards, is crucial.

If they continue to be grounded, deflect attention and divert blame publicly whilst addressing the discipline and trusting youth on the pitch, then this is a brilliant side. There's no real need to worry. The squad is quite small though.

Jake Stokes

No. I don't think Arsenal are in a crisis, but they will be soon if Mikel Arteta doesn't play his cards right. The Gunners just simply don't have a big enough squad to compete on all fronts across the span of a season.

Put it this way. Why on earth must Bukayo Saka – the talisman and star of the side – start against Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup third round just days after playing away to Atalanta and Manchester City?

Fortunately, he didn't pick up a knock, but that tie was the perfect opportunity for Arteta to rest the Hale End graduate. It's mind-blowing. Does the Spaniard not have faith in his side to defeat a League One side without one of the best right wingers in the world?

Does Arteta think that Saka is invulnerable to injury? Does the Arsenal boss not have faith in any other right winger at the club? And if he doesn't have one worthy of a start, then why not? While I have some sympathy for the Gunners, had the squad building been better then there would be no talk of a 'crisis'.

People like to aim cheap jabs at Chelsea, but Enzo Maresca made 11 changes against Barrow on Tuesday night – and the Blues cruised to victory while not putting any 'starters' – like Cole Palmer, for instance – in jeopardy. A decent-sized squad is needed these days with so many games in the calendar. Evolve and adapt or get left behind.

Amie Wilson

Crisis is way too strong in describing the situation that Arsenal find themselves in, but Mikel Arteta will want to avoid any more absences to key players this season. The North London Derby against Spurs without Declan Rice and captain Martin Odegaard was a big challenge, but it was one that the side came through, they have since welcomed Rice back into the fold after he served his suspension.

Cutting down on avoidable red cards and therefore suspensions is something that Arteta should look do for the remainder of the season. The Carabao Cup tie against Bolton came at the perfect time, with Trossard able to serve his suspension then, meaning he was available against Leicester on Saturday.

If results falter then fingers may be pointed at some of the absences. But it has so far not impacted on results on the pitch which is the most important thing.