Arsenal: 4 things Arteta’s side must avoid to secure top four

2. Arsenal Can’t Suffer Any More Injuries

The sight of Takehiro Tomiyasu returning to the pitch late on against Manchester United prompted joyous cheers from the home support. A lot of that will have been due to relief, above anything else.

While those who have filled in have performed valiantly, the bottom line is that this team needs everyone it can get to see them through the final run-in, irrespective of how few games remain. What the injuries to Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey have done is weaken the team tremendously, in the starting lineup and in terms of depth.

Arteta saying after the most recent game that five or six players were carrying knocks is concerning. So too is seeing Bukayo Saka forced out with thigh trouble. The team is being stretched as it is and while there is not much longer to go and adequate recovery time between matches, everyone’s fitness needs maintaining as best it can.

If White is feeling something late on in a game, take him off. Don’t risk him. If Xhaka is feeling something late on in a game, take him off (that will never happen, of course). Don’t risk him.

With the way the squad is now – extremely reliant on a select few – one more absentee, even for just one game, could be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Easier said than done, but no more injuries. Please.

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