Morning all.
Most of the news prior to todays trip to Southampton surrounds injuries. And it is not too positive.
In his pre-match interview, Mikel Arteta pretty much admitted that Thomas Partey is out for the season. He then doubled down by reconfirming Kieran Tierney is also out for the foreseeable.
This means he needs a permanent solution to left-back and centre mid. None of this “playing X out of position to cover a game or two”.
We still think the best solution is the simple solution.
Ramsdale, Cedric, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Lokonga, Xhaka, Saka, Odergaard, ESR, Martinelli.
Tomiyasu is also still out. The delay for his return from his muscle injury is becoming concerning. It feels like every week is “one or two weeks from returning”. Reminds me of Tomas Rosicky’s never ending absence a few years ago.
Another out is Alexandre Lacazette.
The club captain has not trained for a few days due to a reported illness, but in the pre-match interview Arteta let slip he is out due to “private reasons that I cannot comment on”.
We hope that whatever is happening in Lacazette’s private life is resolved soon.
His absence will force Arteta to make the change up top many people have been calling out for.
Eddie Nketiah or Gabrielle Martinelli. Who do you think should start?
It is clear we have run out of steam in the last couple of weeks.
Injuries and a paper thin squad contributed hugely to the last two defeats. Fingers crossed we get the result today and stay in that race for top 4.
Arteta also commented on the recent Granit Xhaka short film.
It is clear that Arteta has always like Xhaka. I for one hope he stays.
Enjoy the bank holiday sunshine.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 