Mikel Arteta highlights Arsenal’s investigation into recurring injuries.

Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, is under pressure and does not hesitate to address a critical issue that has been affecting the team: unexpected injuries occurring before matches. This recurring problem has led to last-minute changes in the line-ups, and Arteta admits that a reassessment of warm-up routines may be necessary. This year, the Gunners have already faced four situations where players have had to leave due to physical issues before matches, a situation that is keeping the team on high alert.

William Saliba, one of the mainstays of the defense, was forced to leave the field just five minutes into the game against Liverpool due to an ankle injury he sustained during warm-up. Similar situations have occurred with Riccardo Calafiori, who had to be replaced in the line-up before the FA Cup match against Wigan, and Bukayo Saka, who also limped off before the clash with Leeds. These incidents have become an increasing concern for Arteta, who has not hesitated to express his frustration.

“Yes, we are analyzing this in depth,” Arteta stated, referring to the issues with warm-ups. “The cases were very different. The first was with Wilo (Saliba), who twisted his ankle against Liverpool. Then we had two incidents with Ricky (Calafiori) in a very similar manner. And then there was the one with Bukayo (Saka), who rested midweek and didn’t play against Kairat and had that incident before Leeds. It’s something very unusual.”

Arteta emphasized that while the frequency of injuries during warm-ups had been rare over the past six years, this current season has brought a series of challenges that are shaping his approach as a coach. “Obviously, we are looking at it,” he said. “It has happened four times this season, which is concerning.”

The pressure on Arteta has increased, especially before the recent match against Wigan. He admitted that pre-match stress is affecting his way of working: “Yes, I can feel that in my body. I am more aware of it. In the office, I hear the door and someone coming in and I think: ‘no, please!’” The coach highlighted the complexity of having to change strategy at the last minute and how that impacts his preparation and that of the team.

“When you swap Ricky for Bukayo, you have to change a lot in the strategy, positions, many things that are different, and you only have two minutes to do that,” he explained. “So yes, that makes you a better coach because you have to constantly think about the ‘what ifs’. And there are more and more ‘what ifs’ before and during the game.”

With so many unforeseen situations, Arteta even suggested that the club might reconsider the way warm-ups are conducted. He questioned the effectiveness of the usual routines and pondered the possibility of completely abolishing warm-ups. “I was a player too, and we like defined routines; that’s how our body prepares,” he stated. “It’s complicated to change that, but it’s an area we should explore. What would happen if we don’t do the warm-up?”

This reflection could lead to a revolution in Arsenal’s preparation practices, which seeks not only to mitigate injuries but also to optimize player performance. If Arteta decides to move forward with this change, it could mark a turning point in how teams prepare for the challenges ahead. The question now is whether tradition should be sacrificed in pursuit of a healthier and more competitive Arsenal.