Arsenal weigh up fresh concern as Mikel Arteta manages squad for Chelsea test
Arsenal head into a decisive weekend with an unwanted storyline resurfacing, this time centred on Leandro Trossard. The Belgian’s evening came to an abrupt halt during the 3-1 Champions League victory at the Emirates Stadium, seven minutes before the interval, when he pulled up holding his calf and headed straight down the tunnel. It was a jarring moment given his influential display in the 4-1 win over Tottenham only days earlier.
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Noni Madueke replaced him and promptly added Arsenal’s second goal, but the focus after the final whistle shifted to whether Mikel Arteta will have one of his most versatile forwards available for the looming clash with Chelsea.
“With Leo, we don’t know [the extent of the injury],” Arteta said. “He said he felt something. We didn’t want to take any risks, obviously.”
Injury picture shaping Arsenal’s plans
Trossard’s importance this season is clear. He has found the net five times in 15 appearances, often producing in moments where Arsenal needed a spark. His form has helped sustain the club’s lead in both the Premier League and the Champions League, making any potential layoff especially disruptive.
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An assessment will take place on Thursday and Arsenal will hope the issue is minor, particularly with Chelsea next on the calendar. Stamford Bridge plays host to a meeting of first and second in the league, a fixture increasingly coloured by fine details and slim margins.
While one key figure waits for clarity, another returned. Martin Odegaard made his comeback against Bayern, stepping on for the final nine minutes after recovering from a knee problem picked up against West Ham in early October. His reintroduction brings balance and leadership at a time when Arteta’s squad depth is being stretched.
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Absences forcing further reshuffling
The win arrived despite the absence of Gabriel, the cornerstone centre-back ruled out for several weeks through an adductor injury sustained on international duty with Brazil. Another scan was scheduled for Wednesday, and his loss forces Arsenal to lean heavily on their alternatives during a congested period.
There is at least positive news regarding Gabriel Jesus, who is back in full training after suffering an ACL injury in January. He is not registered for the Champions League league phase so must wait for his competitive return, with Arsenal planning to ease him in through a behind-closed-doors friendly at London Colney.
Chelsea clash framed by fitness questions
For Arteta, the coming days are about balancing caution with ambition. Arsenal have momentum and top spot, yet Chelsea present their biggest domestic test in weeks and the manager will want as many senior players as possible available. Trossard’s prognosis could shape Arsenal’s approach at Stamford Bridge, especially given the winger’s knack for decisive contributions.
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As the countdown continues, Arsenal’s squad finds itself walking a tightrope between opportunity and vulnerability. Arteta’s handling of this moment could be as pivotal as any tactical decision once they step into west London on Sunday.
