Arsenal fans received mixed news ahead of their Champions League clash with Dinamo Zagreb, as influential centre-back William Saliba was notably absent from training. However, there was some positive news with the return of Riccardo Calafiori and Ethan Nwaneri, both of whom had been sidelined due to injury. This news highlights the ongoing challenges faced by manager Mikel Arteta as he prepares his team for another crucial match in their European campaign.
William Saliba’s absence is a significant blow to Arsenal, as the French defender has been a key figure in the team’s defense this season. Saliba missed Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa after picking up a hamstring injury in Wednesday’s victory over Tottenham. His injury was a major concern, as Saliba has become a central part of Arteta’s defensive setup since his return to the squad following a successful loan spell at Marseille.
Saliba underwent medical tests following the Villa match, and it was confirmed by French newspaper L’Equipe that he is expected to be out for around two weeks. His injury comes at a particularly inconvenient time for Arsenal, who have been hit with several injury setbacks this season. As one of the top performers in defense, Saliba’s absence will certainly be felt, especially with the upcoming matches against Dinamo Zagreb and other key fixtures in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Saliba’s absence means that Arteta will need to make adjustments in the defensive lineup. Arsenal have already been grappling with defensive injuries this season, with Ben White continuing to be sidelined due to a knee surgery he underwent in November. Takehiro Tomiyasu is also unavailable, further compounding Arteta’s challenges in terms of squad selection. With these key players absent, Arteta has had to get creative with his defensive setup, moving Jurrien Timber into a central role and deploying Thomas Partey in a defensive capacity.
As Arteta prepares to face Dinamo Zagreb, he is likely to rely on other players to step up in defense. Arsenal’s depth will be tested, and the team’s resilience will be crucial in maintaining their solid defensive record despite these setbacks.
One of the bright spots for Arsenal in terms of injury news was the return of Riccardo Calafiori, who has been out of action for the past three matches. The Italian full-back, who joined Arsenal in the summer from Bologna in a deal worth approximately £40 million, has struggled with fitness since his arrival. This latest return to training is an encouraging sign, as Calafiori’s presence could provide much-needed depth and competition for places, particularly on the left side of defense.
Calafiori’s injury struggles since joining Arsenal have kept him out of the starting lineup for much of the season. However, his return gives Arteta more options as he looks to bolster his defensive ranks. The 23-year-old’s ability to contribute both defensively and offensively makes him a valuable asset for Arsenal, and his inclusion in the squad for the Dinamo Zagreb match could help provide additional balance and stability to the backline.
Alongside Calafiori, 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri also made his return to training after a brief spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury. Nwaneri, who had been a revelation earlier in the season, had been impressing before his injury and had emerged as a viable option to cover for the injured Bukayo Saka on the right wing. His pace, skill, and ability to beat defenders made him a promising young talent, and many Arsenal fans were excited about his potential.
Nwaneri had been playing a significant role in Arsenal’s early-season matches, especially in the absence of Saka, who has been one of the standout players in Arteta’s squad. However, his injury during a draw at Brighton kept him out of action for a few weeks, which slowed his momentum. With his return to training, Nwaneri will be hoping to regain his place in the squad and contribute to Arsenal’s attacking play. Given his age and talent, Nwaneri represents the future of Arsenal, and his recovery adds another layer of excitement for the fans.
With Saliba’s absence, Arteta will need to make some tactical adjustments to ensure that his defense remains solid in the coming weeks. The manager has already had to deal with injuries to key players, and his ability to rotate and adapt will be put to the test.
Jurrien Timber, who has primarily been used as a right-back, was moved to a central defensive position against Aston Villa after Saliba’s injury. This allowed Thomas Partey to drop deeper into the defense as well, but it’s clear that Arteta prefers a more traditional defensive setup with Saliba and other natural defenders filling these roles. If Saliba is unavailable for an extended period, Arteta may continue to experiment with different defensive combinations to find the best balance for his team.
Ben White’s long-term injury has already meant that Arteta has had to be flexible with his backline. White’s absence has left a hole in the right-back position, and Arteta has had to rely on other players to fill that void, with Timber offering some solid performances in that role. However, the continued absence of White and Saliba’s injury complicates things further, and Arteta may be forced to play players out of their natural positions to cover these gaps.
While injuries are undoubtedly a challenge, they also provide opportunities for other players to step up and prove their worth. In this sense, the return of Calafiori and Nwaneri is a timely boost for Arsenal, giving Arteta some additional options as he navigates through a tough period. Both players will be keen to make an impact and show that they can contribute to Arsenal’s success in both the Premier League and Champions League.
As Arteta continues to face injury concerns, the emergence of young talent like Nwaneri has been one of the more positive developments for Arsenal this season. Despite his tender age, Nwaneri has shown that he is more than capable of handling the pressure of top-flight football. His composure on the ball and ability to make a difference in the final third has impressed both Arteta and Arsenal supporters.
The manager has always been a strong advocate for integrating youth players into the first team, and Nwaneri’s inclusion in the squad is a testament to that philosophy. Arteta has spoken highly of Nwaneri’s potential and has given him opportunities to prove himself in important matches. With Saka out injured, Nwaneri’s return to fitness could provide Arteta with another viable option to cover the right-wing position. His pace and creativity will be important assets for the team as they look to push for top honors this season.
In addition to Nwaneri, young players like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Max Dowman have also been involved in first-team training sessions, showing the depth of talent in Arsenal’s academy. While these players are still developing, their presence in the senior squad is a sign of Arteta’s commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to grow within the club.
As Arsenal prepare for their upcoming Champions League match against Dinamo Zagreb, the focus will be on how Arteta adapts to the absences of key players like Saliba. While the return of Calafiori and Nwaneri provides some hope, Arteta will need to continue to manage his squad effectively in the face of ongoing injury problems.
The next few weeks will be crucial for Arsenal as they look to remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions. With the Premier League title race heating up, the Gunners will need to navigate through a challenging fixture list and rely on the depth of their squad to overcome the setbacks they’ve faced.
Saliba’s absence will undoubtedly be felt, but with players like Calafiori and Nwaneri returning to fitness, Arsenal’s resilience will be tested. The team’s ability to adapt to these challenges and continue to perform at a high level will be key to their hopes of success this season. Fans will be hoping that Arteta’s tactical flexibility and the emergence of young talent will help them stay in contention for silverware in 2025.
