Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that two key defenders will be absent for the team's upcoming Champions League fixture. William Saliba and Jurrien Timber are both set to miss Wednesday's match against Kairat Almaty due to what Arteta described as "niggles" or minor injuries.
Injury Concerns for Arsenal's Backline
The decision to rest Saliba and Timber is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring their full fitness for the crucial Premier League matches ahead. Arteta emphasised the importance of managing player workloads, particularly after a demanding schedule that included a recent home defeat to Manchester United.
Additional Absences and Squad Morale
In addition to the defensive duo, Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino will also be unavailable for the clash with the Kazakh side. Merino is serving a suspension, further depleting Arteta's options for the midweek European encounter.
Despite these setbacks and the team's first home loss of the season last Sunday, which trimmed their Premier League lead to four points, Arteta remains optimistic. He expressed satisfaction with the squad's reaction in training and their positive mindset as they navigate the remainder of the campaign.
The manager highlighted that Arsenal have already secured their place in the Champions League last 16, providing some cushion as they manage player fitness. Arteta's focus appears to be on long-term squad health and maintaining a competitive edge across all competitions, even if it means making tough selection calls for individual matches.
