Arsenal's Injury Dilemma Fuels a Bold London Derby Push: Arteta Sets Sights on a Deep Squad Comeback
31 October 2025
Injury Update and Current Form
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed several absences as they host Burnley at the Emirates in the tenth round of the Premier League. The capital club heads into the match with 22 points, sitting top of the table, four clear of their nearest rivals, while Burnley occupy 16th with ten points.
In a Friday press conference, Arteta confirmed Gabriel Martinelli will miss tomorrow's game due to injury, and he will wait to assess defender William Saliba's readiness.
Asked about Martinelli's return, he replied that it's too early to say, with a return in upcoming fixtures still possible but not guaranteed.
He also expressed hope that his squad could be fully available after the upcoming international break, and that they would regain all players by then.
Arsenal's match schedule shows two London derbies back-to-back at the end of November, facing Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea. The coach hopes Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke could be back before the North London Derby to bolster their attacking options for the tough tests ahead.
Arteta emphasised that the title race is tougher every year, with improved players and coaches flocking to clubs.
On selection decisions, he said it isn't the worst aspect, acknowledging that limiting players' game time is difficult but that the team is handling it positively. He wants his team active, creative and disciplined to continue winning, and aims to reclaim the Premier League trophy for the club, which has been absent for 21 years.
He also welcomed depth in the squad, noting that five or six players are sidelined and forcing him to craft solutions to maintain competitiveness.
Gifts of Round Nine
The ninth round of the Premier League delivered positive signs for Arsenal and their fans, as other title contenders stumbled. Reigning champions Liverpool lost 2-3 at Brentford, while Manchester City were edged 1-0 by Aston Villa. Chelsea also suffered a shock home defeat to Sunderland, newly promoted. Despite the turbulence, Arsenal stretched their lead with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, reaching 22 points after seven matches, with seven wins, one defeat and two draws, four points ahead of Bournemouth.
Arsenal's superiority widened further when Manchester City and Liverpool trailed behind, and Chelsea sat ninth. After the first batch of big clashes, Arsenal had two London derbies remaining against Tottenham and Chelsea, before heading to play Burnley and Sunderland away, then welcoming fellow Londoners to the Emirates.
Meanwhile, Arsenal's cup progress continued apace in the League Cup, beating Brighton 2-0 at the Emirates to advance to the quarterfinals. Ethan Nwaneri scored in the 57th minute and Bukayo Saka added a late clincher in the 76th minute.
With the international break approaching, Arteta's dilemma is to manage a deep squad and get players back to peak fitness. The plan is to maintain momentum in the league and cup while balancing the rest of the season's demands, as the Gunners aim to end their trophy drought.
Two punchlines for the road: Sniper-style, Arteta’s bench is so deep you’d need a treasure map to find the starter. And if injuries were targets, Arsenal just bought a laser—the only thing sharper than their focus is the scoreboard.
