Mikel Arteta plots Arsenal ‘reset’ as injuries clear up before Tottenham showdown | OneFootball

International break comes at a good time for Arsenal after Sunderland setback

They failed to deal with two lofted balls into the box and Sunderland scored with their only two shots on target.

“We can defend the action better and today we haven’t done it; we conceded the goal,” said Arteta. “We know that we have to do better, and even though we’re conceding goals, there are things that we have to improve on the ball. I always mention that, and that’s it. Learn from the past and get back.”

Next up for Arsenal is the north London derby against Tottenham on November 23

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Much has been made of Arsenal’s new-found squad depth this season, but it has been tested to its limits over the past week.

Saturday’s trip to Sunderland was their third away game in eight days, and the effects were plain to see. Injuries, particularly in the forward line, have limited Arteta’s options.

During his press conference in Prague last week, Arteta quipped: “I don’t know what depth we’re talking about now because we’re missing a lot of players.”

He was not exaggerating. For the win over Slavia Prague, Arsenal were without eight first-team players. That number dropped to six for the draw at Sunderland, but their absence was especially felt because they were all attacking options.

Arteta’s bench at the Stadium of Light offered three forward alternatives in Andre Harriman-Annous, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman, with a combined average age of just over 16.

The total cost of Arsenal’s injured attackers - Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke and Viktor Gyokeres - is close to £250 million.

Even the deepest squad would feel that strain.

Arsenal certainly did in the first half as Sunderland disrupted their rhythm and killed their creativity.

Arteta hopes to have some key players back to face Spurs

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They improved after the break, with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard finding the net, but defensively a lack of attacking options off the bench proved costly.

Arteta often stresses that Arsenal’s defensive solidity depends on “the collective”, and the absence of fresh legs hindered their ability to press during the final stages.

A pacy player such as Madueke or Martinelli would have offered an outlet. A focal point like Gyokeres or Havertz could have relieved pressure higher up the pitch.

Mikel Merino once again led the line admirably, but he is still a midfielder playing out of position.

“Now we reset with the international break, get the [international] players back nice and healthy, the ones that are not healthy make sure that they get healthy, and we go again,” said Arteta.

“We’ll look back at what we’ve done, take all of the positive things that we do, the things that we have the opportunity to improve as well and start to plan what is coming because it’s going to be very demanding.”

The good news for Arsenal is that their injury situation appears to be easing.

Madueke was close to making the squad at Sunderland but was not risked as he recovers from a knee injury sustained in September.

Gyokeres, Havertz, Martinelli and Odegaard are all pushing to be fit for the north London derby on November 23. Their involvement will depend on how they progress in the coming days.

Gabriel Jesus will be the last to return - hopefully before the end of the year - having only just resumed full training following knee surgery in January.

Arteta will relish having his​ forwards fit again, with Arsenal’s next run of fixtures offering no respite. After Spurs, the Gunners take on Bayern Munich and then Chelsea.

Arsenal will need their squad depth back to navigate three huge games in eight days.