Three runners-up in a row in the Premier League. Arsenal start the season as title contenders, only to lose momentum after the New Year. A recurring problem is that key players get injured and automatically send Arsenal’s team machine to the pit stop, without having the part to repair. This season, it seems that the Gunners will not suffer from the same problems.
Injuries are coming, but 13 rounds into the 2025/26 season, everything indicates that Arsenal have the width to keep the pace up this time around. We have seen it with Martin Ødegaard. Last season, the quality of the attacking play dropped when the captain was out with injury, the result was a loss of points. Since October, one of the Premier League’s best midfielders has again been out injured, this time Arsenal have surged forward, both in the Premier League and Champions League. On Sunday, we got yet another proof that Arsenal are equipped to deal with injuries.
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In the 1-1 draw against Chelsea, Chelsea did play a 10-man plus game, but when you look at Arsenal’s central defence, the points split is still solid. Because we are used to seeing the Premier League’s probably best centre-back duo, Gabriel and Saliba keeping the defensive line tight, against Chelsea Hincapie and Mosquera had the task.
After the game, Arteta explains the situation, where Gabriel was injured at the national team gathering, while Saliba played against Bayern, but had to report a pass against Chelsea.
It’s been a bit of a headache because we’ve had to make a lot of changes in the last few months for different reasons. This one (Saliba) was very unexpected and it happened yesterday, but the good thing about it is that we have players who are so willing to play, so willing to bond with each other, and that makes their relationship even better. So it was a great game for all of us and it gives you the confidence that whoever is on the pitch will deliver,” the Arsenal manager said after the game.
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Gabriel is still out for a few more weeks, while Saliba will be tested this week for his return. Arsenal are not escaping injuries this season either, but are no longer completely punctuating without a Saka, Ødegaard or Saliba/Gabriel on the pitch. This smells like titles.
