When it comes to football betting, punters always look at the odds before making a decision. Platforms such as GGBet analyse player and team stats, past performances, and other aspects to determine the odds. Arsenal is no exception to the rule.
But fans are worried about Arsenal lately due to several player injuries that may affect the team’s performance and, thus, the odds. With Saliba, Gabriel, and Havertz missing, Arsenal’s game may look different for a while.
William Saliba’s Injury
The match with Chelsea that ended in a draw didn’t include William Saliba. The player experienced an injury in a previous training session, and many fans were surprised to see him missing the game. The team wrote on social media that the player “misses out after a knock in training”.
However, Arteta did not mention exactly what problem Saliba has, even though he spoke to the media both before and after the game. He said that the player will go through more medical examinations soon to figure out how severe the issue is.
Then, before the Brentford game, Arteta declared that Saliba had a small problem. Still, he did not say that it would make it impossible for the center-back to play in this match before the final pre-match training session. According to Arteta, it may take a couple of days, so they could only wait and see whether Saliba would be able to show up the next day. Arteta said:
The ankle one [earlier in the season] was really random, and a very unlucky action that kept him out for a few weeks. He tried at Anfield, he wasn’t comfortable and he had to stay away. This one as well, very bizarre, but hopefully it will be a matter of days.
But Saliba did not show up during the Brentford match. People then hoped to see him back at Villa Park.
Kai Havertz’s Injury
Another player who has recently been injured is Kai Havertz. The former Chelsea forward suffered a knee injury when the team was playing against Manchester United. This required him to undergo a small surgery, so he couldn’t play after suffering the injury.
Last season, Havertz also suffered a serious hamstring injury, so he missed a lot of the second half. Then, Germany’s head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, first revealed the second injury. Speaking about Havertz, Mikel Arteta mentioned when he could possibly be back and gave some updates on the player’s condition. Arteta said:
Matter of weeks; let’s see how it evolves in the next few weeks. He’s doing really well, he’s doing stuff on the pitch, but I think he needs some time.
According to Arteta, Havertz was “doing everything”. The group is desperate to have him back. Arteta said that he loves the player, and he admitted that he brings a lot of value to the team. He is excited to have him back, not only because he’s a great player, but also because he can tell that Havertz suffers for not being on the field.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel Magalhaes, who is Saliba’s main partner, also got injured. He has been out since last month, when his adductor injury occurred during an international break for Brazil. For this reason, he won’t appear in games for a few weeks. Arteta mentioned that he would not make it to Villa.
Arteta admitted that the 27-year-old is making pretty good progress so far, though. However, his absence affects the team’s performance.
How Do These Injuries Affect the Team’s Performance?
Each of the three players has been crucial in Arsenal’s good performances during the season. Now that they are missing, it’s clear that the game is different and that Arenal needs them back to be in perfect shape. For example, Arsenal really misses Gabriel’s leadership. He has plenty of experience against Villa and knows how to keep the team’s composure. Having such an influential player on the bench means that Arsenal’s victory is no longer guaranteed.
Arsenal also suffered in its attacking areas, as it hasn’t been so strong since Kai Havertz’s injury. So far, he has only appeared in the Manchester United game during the opening weekend. The good news is that it’s only a matter of weeks before they could be back. As such, fans could watch them again very soon and hope for better games for the team.
Other Player Injuries That Occurred Recently
Saliba, Gabriel, and Havertz weren’t the only ones to experience injuries. A few other players have also dealt with some issues. One of them was Declan Rice. During the midweek win against Brentford, he appeared to be in a bit of discomfort. While speaking to the medical staff, he looked like he was pointing towards his calf. He then came off with seven minutes left. He walked around the pitch at full-time, then said that he was “fine” to Sky Sports.
Luckily, his injury didn’t seem to be serious. Christhian Mosquera also suffered an injury, which led to concerns regarding Arsenal’s defense. According to Arteta, the player would need to go through more tests to figure out just how severe the issue is. Then, Arteta claimed that Mosquera could end up missing six to eight weeks due to ankle pain.
We don’t know exactly when Mosquera will return, but his situation only adds to the worries and the overall problems, especially with other players still recovering at the same time. Arsenal has several injured players who may only be back in a few weeks. Some of their injuries aren’t that severe, so fans may still have a chance to see them this season and place bets on the games. Mikel Arteta will surely share more news as soon as there’s relevant information coming out.