Nine Key Players Could Miss Champions League Showdown

Arsenal face a potential injury crisis ahead of their Champions League round of 16 first leg against Bayer Leverkusen, with as many as nine players potentially unavailable for Wednesday’s crucial tie in Germany.

The Gunners’ injury list has grown significantly following their FA Cup victory over Mansfield Town, where manager Mikel Arteta was forced to make nine changes to his starting lineup due to various fitness concerns throughout the squad.

Key Players Struggling With Fitness

Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhães, and Martin Zubimendi didn’t even travel to Field Mill for the FA Cup clash, all carrying issues that required careful management. Ben White, Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino, and William Saliba were also unavailable for selection.

The situation worsened during the match when both Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori were substituted due to minor knocks. According to Football London, Arteta explained their withdrawals: “Both of them, they had little niggles, they were not comfortable to continue.”

Arteta Explains Squad Management

The Arsenal boss revealed the difficult balancing act he faces with his squad’s fitness levels. Speaking about the missing trio of Gabriel, Rice, and Zubimendi, Arteta said: “They had issues, and they’ve been carrying issues, and the amount of games that we are playing, it’s obviously super demanding.”

Arteta emphasized that this was “the only time to try to make sure that we can clean those issues that they’re having to start the next sequence of two weeks before the break in the best possible way.”

The Spanish manager faces particular uncertainty over several key defenders. White has been ruled out entirely, while Saliba “turned his ankle against Chelsea” and “was too sore to play” despite managing to finish that match.

Busy Schedule Ahead

The timing couldn’t be worse for Arsenal, who face a demanding run of four matches before the international break. After Wednesday’s trip to Leverkusen, they host Everton in the Premier League before welcoming the German side back to north London for the second leg.

The sequence concludes with the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, making squad depth absolutely crucial for Arteta’s plans.

Merino remains the longest-term absentee, with Arteta explaining that the midfielder’s recovery involves “bone healing” and could take “three, four or five” months. The uncertainty around so many key players will test Arsenal’s squad depth as they look to progress in Europe’s premier competition.

The Champions League tie represents Arsenal’s biggest test of the season so far, and Arteta will hope some of his walking wounded can recover in time for the crucial encounter in Germany.