Arsenal will turn their attention to the FA Cup this weekend as they prepare to face Mansfield Town on Saturday, but manager Mikel Arteta is expected to be without several first-team players due to injury concerns.
The match offers the Premier League side an opportunity to continue their run in the historic cup competition while managing a packed schedule that includes domestic league fixtures and UEFA Champions League commitments. However, Arsenal’s preparations have been affected by multiple fitness issues ahead of the final training session before the trip to Field Mill, reports alldaysport.net
With a demanding list of upcoming matches, Arteta faces the challenge of balancing squad rotation with the need to field a competitive lineup. Matches against lower-league opponents often allow top clubs to rest key players and give opportunities to younger talents, but injuries may limit Arsenal’s options for the FA Cup tie.
One notable absence is expected to be William Saliba, who is dealing with an ankle injury and is unlikely to travel for the game against Mansfield. The France international defender missed Arsenal’s recent 1-0 Premier League victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, where Cristhian Mosquera partnered Gabriel Magalhães in central defence.
Saliba sustained the issue during Arsenal’s match against Chelsea, where he scored the opening goal and completed the full 90 minutes. Despite finishing the game, the defender appeared uncomfortable late in the match and was later ruled out of the midweek fixture at the Amex Stadium.
Arteta confirmed the injury is not related to the ankle problem Saliba experienced earlier in the season.
“No, it’s the other one,” the Arsenal boss said. “We thought the same straight after the game because he wasn’t comfortable to finish the game. After straightaway he didn’t have a good feeling so let’s see if he recovers quickly.”
When asked whether Saliba could return in time to face Mansfield, Arteta admitted: “I doubt it.”
Although the defender might have been rested anyway against a League One opponent, his absence is still a concern for Arsenal as the club enters a critical period in the season. The Gunners are scheduled to travel to Germany next week for a crucial Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.
Saliba’s season has already been affected by injuries. Earlier in the campaign, he suffered another ankle issue during the warm-up before Arsenal’s match against Liverpool at Anfield in August, forcing him to leave the field shortly after kickoff. Overall, the defender has already missed several Premier League games this season.
Arteta also hinted that the condition of the pitch at Mansfield could influence his team selection.
“It can do, especially if there is a player who is carrying some injury,” he said. “This can affect him in the wrong way, especially with certain muscles. Hopefully we’re going to have the ones we need fit and available.”
As Arsenal prepares for the FA Cup clash with Mansfield Town, the club will be hoping to avoid further injuries while maintaining momentum ahead of their important Champions League fixture next week./ALLDAYSPORT/
