Arteta fears that Arsenal’s season is following a familiar path.

After a convincing 4-0 victory over Wigan, Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, expressed his growing concern about the direction of his team’s season. The specter of injuries, which has haunted the club in the past two seasons, has reared its head once again, and Arteta does not hide his fear that history may repeat itself. “Before it was the forwards, then the defenders, now it’s the midfielders…” he lamented, highlighting his unease with the current situation of the team.

Injuries have been a chronic problem for Arsenal, and the latest addition to the list of absentees is Martin Ødegaard, who joins Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz, leaving Arteta with very limited options to rotate his lineup. “We are still dealing with it, but we need some players back and fit, not just to increase the numbers, but to offer us different options against the opponents we have ahead. The sooner, the better,” said the coach, emphasizing the urgency of needing to recover key players.

Arsenal is currently facing the harsh reality of having five injured players, a challenge that, at first glance, may seem manageable. However, the problem is exacerbated by the fact that most of the absences are concentrated in midfield, where both Merino and Ødegaard are key pieces in the starting lineup. Havertz and Dowman, who could be viable alternatives, are also unavailable, which has led Arteta to an emergency solution, using Bukayo Saka in a central position, while Eberechi Eze and Christian Nørgaard formed the base of the midfield.

At this critical moment in the season, Arsenal is fighting on four fronts, and injury management is an absolute priority for Arteta. Although the squad has enough depth to cope with the situation, the truth is that the team is one step away from a crisis that could alter their plans. The immediate goal is to reach the international break in March without further setbacks. Havertz and Dowman are expected to be available by then, while it is hoped that Ødegaard does not suffer a prolonged injury.

In the next five weeks, Arsenal will have to face up to nine matches across various competitions, a monumental task, especially with a squad already weakened. The challenges include both legs of the Champions League round of 16, where they will face teams like Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, or Olympiacos, in addition to tough fixtures in the Premier League against Tottenham and Chelsea, and the fifth round of the FA Cup. The culmination of this intense schedule will be the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, a match that could determine the course of the season.

Arteta and his players know that, to succeed, they cannot afford any more injuries. The pressure is high, and Arsenal’s ability to navigate these turbulent waters will be tested in the coming weeks. The team’s future depends on their capacity to overcome obstacles, and the resilience shown so far could be the key to winning titles.