Arsenal has been hit by a major double injury blow as star players Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey are set to spend several weeks on the sidelines due to muscle injuries. The news was confirmed by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who also used the opportunity to call for a change in Premier League rules to allow clubs to register more than 25 players in their squads. These injuries come at a challenging time for the Gunners, who have already faced numerous injury setbacks this season.
Injury Woes for Jesus and Partey
Gabriel Jesus, who had recently returned from a knee injury that kept him out at the start of the 2023/24 season, had been in fine form. He played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Sevilla, scoring a goal and providing an assist. However, his promising comeback was short-lived as he suffered a hamstring injury during the match.
Mikel Arteta stated, “The scan shows that there is a muscle injury, and we might lose him for a few weeks again.” The uncertainty surrounding Jesus’s recovery timeline makes his absence a significant blow to the team.
Thomas Partey, on the other hand, has been plagued by injuries since joining Arsenal. His latest setback is a “muscle injury” that occurred during a training session just before the Sevilla game. Arteta noted, “He’s got a muscle injury, and we are expecting him to be out for a few weeks.” Further tests will determine the extent of the injury, and Partey’s absence may stretch beyond the initial prognosis.
Arteta’s Call for Squad Expansion
Arsenal’s injury woes have prompted Mikel Arteta to advocate for changes in Premier League rules, specifically with regards to squad size. The club’s manager expressed his concern about the welfare of players and suggested that Premier League clubs should be allowed to register more than 25 players in their squads.
Arteta argued, “If we have more games, more competitiveness and physically the standards are higher – by playing more minutes – we have to do that or instead of five subs, we have 10.” He stressed the importance of adapting to the evolving demands of the game and ensuring that players are available to maintain the quality of football.
The Premier League had recently increased the number of permitted substitutions from three to five, a change that Arteta views as a positive step. He added, “The only way to do it is players have to have certain availability, and you need players to pick.” He emphasized the need for the league to continue evolving to meet the challenges posed by an extended calendar and higher physical demands on players.
In conclusion, Arsenal’s double injury blow to Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the club this season. While their absence is a significant setback, it has also prompted manager Mikel Arteta to call for greater flexibility in squad registration rules within the Premier League. As the game continues to evolve, Arteta believes that such changes are necessary to safeguard the welfare of players and maintain the quality of football in an increasingly demanding environment.
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Explanation: player statistics (a/b c)
a - games played this season
b - goals scored
c - team position (d - defender, m - midfielder, f - forward, g - goalkeeper).
