Mikel Arteta delivers fresh Arsenal injury update after draw at Fulham

Mikel Arteta has provided a fresh injury update ahead of Arsenal’s upcoming Champions League clash with AS Monaco, following his side’s 1-1 draw against Fulham on Sunday. The Gunners were without key players Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Riccardo Calafiori for the trip to Craven Cottage, and Arteta hopes the trio will be fit to return for Wednesday’s European fixture at the Emirates.

“We are hopeful, but it’s more a question for the doctors and physios to give us a clearer picture,” Arteta told reporters after the match. “We are missing a lot of players in the backline, but the good thing is that whoever we put there responds with a positive attitude and strong performances. We know how crucial consistency is in defence, and we are working hard to manage the challenges we face.”

The injuries to Gabriel, Zinchenko, and Calafiori have compounded an already difficult start to the season for Arsenal’s defence, with Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu also sidelined with knee issues. Despite the mounting injury list, Arteta has praised the resilience of his squad, especially in the defensive department.

On Sunday, with Gabriel and Calafiori unavailable, Arteta was forced to deploy Jurrien Timber at left-back and Thomas Partey on the opposite flank, with both players adapting to roles they had never previously played for the Gunners.

“They understand the situation we’re in and have really bought into the team’s needs. We’re asking them to do things they haven’t done before, and they’ve responded really well,” Arteta said. “Jakub Kiwior stepped in and was fantastic, and Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey, who played in unfamiliar roles, did a solid job. Everyone contributed, and I’m happy with the performance.”

The match at Fulham saw Raul Jimenez put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute with a well-taken goal, before William Saliba equalized for Arsenal early in the second half. Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, including an 88th-minute effort from Bukayo Saka that was ruled out for offside, the Gunners were unable to find a winner.

The Fulham draw leaves Arsenal second in the Premier League table on 29 points, with a tough challenge ahead in Wednesday’s Champions League group stage clash against Monaco.

Reflecting on the result, Arteta expressed frustration at his team’s failure to secure all three points. “We fully deserved to win, but that’s football. The opposition defended well, and we just couldn’t break them down enough,” he said. “We generated chances but struggled to convert them. We need to learn from this and make sure we bounce back stronger.”

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard also acknowledged the challenge posed by Fulham, who remain unbeaten in their last nine London derbies in the Premier League. “They’re a tough team, and they know how to defend,” Odegaard said. “But we didn’t do enough today. We need to learn from this and ensure we strike back in the next match.”