Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces a mounting injury crisis as his side prepares for a crucial Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Arteta's Pre-Match Injury Update
Speaking ahead of the midweek cup tie, Arteta delivered a series of concerning updates from the treatment room. The Gunners have little time to recover from their 4-1 FA Cup third-round victory over Portsmouth, with the focus now sharply on securing an advantage against their London rivals before the second leg next month.
Defender Piero Hincapie, who was forced off during the recent Premier League draw with Liverpool, remains a major doubt. When pressed on the player's condition, Arteta offered a vague response, stating simply: "We don't know yet."
Key Players Ruled Out or Doubtful
The situation in defence looks particularly precarious. Centre-back William Saliba, who missed the FA Cup win, is now officially a 'doubt' for the trip to Chelsea. He is joined on the doubtful list by forward Leandro Trossard, who was also absent at the weekend.
Full-back Riccardo Calafiori is definitely out, still nursing a muscle injury that has seen him miss the last five games. "He's progressing, but I don't know [when he'll return]," admitted Arteta. "It might be a few weeks, but we don't know exactly when."
The club's youth prospects are also sidelined. Sixteen-year-old Max Dowman and defender Cristhian Mosquera are both ruled out with similar ankle injuries. Arteta confirmed that both are "a few weeks away" from a return to training.
Implications for Chelsea Showdown
This spate of injuries presents a significant challenge for Arteta's team selection and tactical planning for the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg. The potential absence of first-choice defenders like Saliba and Hincapie, coupled with Calafiori's continued unavailability, could force a reshuffle at the back against a potent Chelsea attack.
The manager will be hoping his squad can overcome these setbacks and take a positive result back to the Emirates for the decisive second leg, scheduled for next month. All eyes will be on Stamford Bridge to see how an potentially patched-up Arsenal side fares in this high-stakes cup clash.
