Arsenal injury latest: William Saliba, Gabriel and more | OneFootball

Arsenal Injury Update Overview

Arsenal enter another demanding week with their defensive structure stretched to its limit and fresh doubts emerging over Declan Rice. With Champions League duties in Belgium and a congested festive schedule looming, the club’s injury landscape has become a defining theme of the early winter weeks. This latest injury update captures the current state of play for several key figures as Arsenal attempt to steady their campaign.

Rice Situation

Declan Rice played the full 90 minutes in the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa after insisting he felt fine following a calf problem picked up against Brentford. Yet his absence from Monday’s training session at London Colney has raised concern. Instead of joining group work, he was indoors, prompting Arsenal to delay any decision on whether he travels for the Club Brugge match.

Potential return: Club Brugge or Wolves

Photo IMAGO

Defensive Pressure

The back line remains under sustained strain. William Saliba and Gabriel both missed the Villa match, leaving Piero Hincapie as the only fit senior centre back. Jurrien Timber joined him, while Ben White covered at right-back. Such limited options saw 16-year-old Marli Salmon named on the bench at Villa Park. Further complications arrived when Riccardo Calafiori collected his fifth booking, ruling him out of the Wolves fixture.

Saliba’s knock, described as only “days” away from resolving last week, kept him out of training again on Monday. Arteta has maintained cautious optimism, saying, “It is a matter of days with those two, for sure.”

Gabriel’s adductor issue, suffered with Brazil, continues to sideline him. Arteta had already outlined that his recovery would take “weeks”.

Cristhian Mosquera, who had impressed during his recent run, faces an extended spell out after an ankle injury proved “complicated”. Arteta admitted, “He’s going to be out for weeks unfortunately, it’s much more than what we expected.”

Attacking Concerns

Leandro Trossard returned at Villa, scoring within minutes of coming on, but he remains on a managed workload. Like Rice, he worked indoors on Monday and will be assessed ahead of the Brugge trip.

Kai Havertz is also progressing gradually after a knee operation and subsequent setback. Arteta noted, “Matter of weeks, let’s see how it evolves in the next few weeks,” adding that the team are eager for his return.

As Arsenal prepare for a decisive stretch featuring Club Brugge, Everton, Crystal Palace and Wolves, clarity over these injuries could define the rhythm of their season. With so much responsibility falling on stretched personnel, every recovery counts.