Mikel Arteta acknowledges the most recent injury to Arsenal in a “big risk” statement.
After defeating Manchester United, the Gunners will travel to Fulham on Sunday.
Although playing Gabriel against Manchester United would have been a “big risk,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he hopes the Brazilian and fellow defender Riccardo Calafiori will return for Sunday’s trip to Fulham.
Both Gabriel and Calafiori were left off of Arsenal’s roster for Wednesday night’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Emirates Stadium.
Due to a problem, Gabriel had to leave the Gunners’ victories over Sporting and West Ham last week.
At West Ham last weekend, Calafiori, who just recovered from a knee ailment, was also substituted out before the hour.
When Arsenal plays their next game on Sunday against Fulham, Arteta hopes to welcome the two back.
Arteta stated, “Gabi felt something against West Ham, so it was a big risk for him to play today [against Manchester United].” Riccardo may also be available on Sunday; we’ll have to wait and see how he responds.
Arteta looked to Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior in the absence of Calafiori and Gabriel.
Together, the two helped Arsenal maintain a clean sheet and reduced the seven-point gap between them and Liverpool, the Premier League leaders.
Arteta praised Jakub and Alex, saying, “I think it’s Jakub’s first start in a long time. You have to be thrown against this kind of opposition and this kind of front players.”
The same is true for Alex; they performed incredibly well. We are really happy for the team because they prepared so hard, had the chance, and seized it with both hands.
