Arsenal Faces Selection Crisis: Mikel Arteta Dealing with Suspension and Illness

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is facing a selection dilemma as his squad battles both a suspension and a viral illness ahead of their Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

Jurrien Timber’s Suspension Adds to Arteta’s Selection Woes

Jurrien Timber will miss the match against Brighton due to suspension after accumulating his fifth yellow card of the season in Arsenal’s recent victory over Brentford. This suspension leaves Arteta with yet another issue to address in his team selection, as Timber was expected to feature at right-back.

Missing Players and Emergency Solutions

Arsenal is already without Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu due to injuries, and now Timber’s suspension means Arteta must once again turn to an emergency option for the right-back position. It is likely that Thomas Partey will fill in, a position he has already occupied multiple times this season in the Premier League, Champions League, and Carabao Cup.

However, this adjustment has further implications as it removes the Ghanaian midfielder from the heart of the midfield, requiring Arteta to reconsider his lineup. Riccardo Calafiori, a versatile defender, is another emergency option for the right-back spot, but the Italian’s performance in his first start since November against Brentford raised concerns.

Squad-Wide Illness Hampering Arsenal

In addition to the suspension, Arteta is also grappling with a virus sweeping through his squad. Kai Havertz was notably absent for the midweek match against Brentford due to illness, with reports suggesting that Havertz was the worst affected player. However, Arteta confirmed that other players involved in the game were also dealing with the same virus.

“It affected players on the pitch and off the pitch,” Arteta explained. “It is nothing serious. But it wasn’t the ideal situation. In relation to the symptoms, with Kai it was obvious. He wasn’t feeling well at all. He had very clear symptoms to stay away from, put him in a car, and go back to [home].”

Arteta’s Approach to Illness Disruption

With the squad affected by illness, Arteta has been forced to adapt his lineup decisions at the last minute. He emphasized that such setbacks are part of the unpredictable nature of the season, especially when dealing with infections and viruses. The manager mentioned that he tries to delay making the lineup decisions as long as possible, as unforeseen circumstances can arise unexpectedly.

“These things happen. In this period, there are always things thrown at you, infections, viruses, so I try to delay the lineup as late as possible because you can get up in the morning and unfortunately have a surprise like this.”

Arsenal’s Upcoming Matches

After the clash with Brighton, Arsenal will face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final next Tuesday, followed by more crucial fixtures in their campaign.

Key Takeaways:

• Jurrien Timber is suspended for Arsenal’s match against Brighton.
• Thomas Partey is likely to cover at right-back, which impacts the midfield.
• Arsenal is battling a squad-wide illness, with Kai Havertz notably absent due to the virus.
• Mikel Arteta faces a selection crisis with injuries, suspensions, and illness affecting the team.
• Arsenal’s next matches include a trip to Brighton and a Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Newcastle United.