Arsenal: Mikel Arteta bemoans mounting injuries as five stars sidelined for Athletic Club trip

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Evening Standard

·15 settembre 2025

Arsenal: Mikel Arteta bemoans mounting injuries as five stars sidelined for Athletic Club trip

The Gunners are struggling with a rash of early-season absentees

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

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Mikel Arteta said Arsenal need a fully fit squad if they are to compete for the Champions League this season.

Arsenal start their European campaign tomorrow night, but while William Saliba is set to return following an ankle injury, Arteta will be without the likes of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka for their game against Athletic Club.

The Gunners had to contend without Gabriel and Kai Havertz as they were knocked out by eventual winners PSG in the Champions League semi-finals last year, and Arteta says he needs better injury luck if his side are to go a step further this season and lift the trophy.

“Like the rest of the teams, they have done the same and they have won it in many occasions. We know its going to be a really long journey. You have to give yourself the best chance to win the game,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference.

“We are good enough that we can compete with any opposition on the day.

“You have to have two things go your way. You have to have a full squad available and have to put the ball in the net when the chances come your way.”

Saliba returned to training last Friday, but Arteta chose not to risk him against Forest after the defender said he didn’t feel ready to play. The 24-year-old will, however, travel with the side to Spain as they kick off their Champions League campaign in Bilbao.

Odegaard, meanwhile, missed training on Monday after injuring his shoulder against Forest, and will not play against Athletic Club, though Christian Norgaard is in contention to make his competitive debut for the club.

Ben White, who hasn’t played since Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, will also miss the game against Athletic Club after suffering a “minor” injury problem.

“Gabby (Jesus), Kai (Havertz), Ben (White), and Martin (Odegaard) are still out, unfortunately,” said Arteta.

The Spaniard, deemed ‘one of the best managers in the world’ by Ernesto Valverde, also added that Bukayo Saka, who is suffering from a hamstring injury, remains out.

“I think he's still quite a lot of things to go through, very difficult to understand what week he is going to be available.”

Arteta did, however, compliment his squad’s depth, admitting that Cristhian Mosquera fared well in Saliba’s place against Forest.

“You've just seen today and what he did in Anfield, very, very hard he's going to push them and this kid wants it a lot, and he's so willing to learn.

“He's got already some great qualities that fit very well any position that we want to use him in relation to the connections and the qualities of the other defenders. So, we'll see.”