Arsenal: 5 injuries Gunners can’t afford in top four hunt

From the depths of despair Arsenal have not only managed to claw their way back into top four contention, they find themselves sitting atop the chasing pack with 13 games left to play.

The team and the coaching staff deserve immense credit for digging themselves out of a hole they fashioned for themselves, as to be in this position with a third of the season remaining was unfathomable just a few weeks into the campaign.

Beating Watford 3-2 last time out leaves Mikel Arteta’s side ahead of the pack on points and with fewer matches played, which with a daunting run of three matches in six days to come is exactly the cushion they need.

But as witnessed with events earlier in the season, it only takes one or two results for the situation to flip on its head.

Arsenal: 5 injuries Mikel Arteta’s side can’t afford in their quest to finish in the Premier League top four with such a thin squad

The Gunners still have to play Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool, West Ham and Chelsea across their final run, with two of those games yet to be rearranged having seen their initial scheduled times postponed.

This is also a young team. As much as it is Arsenal who are showing the consistency that their rivals aren’t at present, boasting the youngest squad in the league does tend to result in inconsistencies.

One of their other major worries relates to potential injuries. Reducing the squad down to just 20 senior players over the January window leaves little room for maneuverability in that department.

While there are a host of injuries Arsenal would rather avoid, some players’ absences can be mitigated in one way or another – Cedric Soares has filled in more adequately than expected for Takehiro Tomiyasu – other individuals are so fundamental to how Arsenal play that them falling foul to injury is something Arsenal can ill-afford. There are five in particular who there are lingering worries about.

1. Benjamin White

Mr. Reliable for Arsenal this season has clocked up more minutes than anyone else in his first season at the club. The beating heart of the defence is on 2,486 minutes already, 202 more than the next in line, Bukayo Saka.

With praise from all corners of the club, including his manager and Alexandre Lacazette who listed him as captain material, White has gone about his business with consistency across all competitions, with few notable mistakes or poor performances en route.

He brings so much to this team. On the ball he is a leader, never shirking responsibility and always willing to assume possession and drive his team forward even in times of adversity.

Were he to be out the next in line to take his place would be Rob Holding. While the fellow Englishman has carved himself a niche in this team as the first choice substitute whenever someone gets sent off, outside of being a low block defender his limitations on the ball are clear.

The drop off in quality is considerable. In the case of some players you don’t realise how important they are until they don’t play. That would absolutely apply to White. Losing him for any length of time would be a hammer blow.

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