Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, expressed concern over his team’s expanding injury list after Riccardo Calafiori hobbled off towards the end of Tuesday’s tense 1-0 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.
The London team began without captain and long-time absentee Martin Odegaard.
Bukayo Saka, a forward, and defender Calafiori are all doubtful for Sunday’s crucial Premier League match against Liverpool due to knee injuries.
William Saliba, a central defender, will miss the match against Liverpool due to his red card in the weekend’s loss to Bournemouth, while Jurrien Timber is also having trouble getting fit.
“With Riccy he had to come off because he felt something.
“I don’t know the extent of it but it’s not good news, it’s a bit of a worry,” Arteta, whose side have seven points from their opening three Champions League games, told reporters.
The fact that full back Ben White was substituted at halftime due to a yellow card rather than an injury will please Arsenal supporters.
“It was my decision to take him out. He had a yellow card, we have played enough with 10 men in recent periods,” Arteta said.
“They had a lot of density, a lot of attacking players on that side and we didn’t want to take any chances.”
Arteta seemed doubtful about Saka’s chances of making a comeback against leaders Liverpool, but he was at least encouraged by his team’s response to the Bournemouth loss, even though they had trouble against Shakhtar in the second half.
Ahead of Wednesday’s games, Arsenal is now ranked fourth in the new 36-team group round.
“Very pleased with the result. Always difficult in Champions League. We should’ve scored more in the first half and the second half I felt a bit of fatigue,” Arteta said.
“Playing 60 minutes with 10 men (against Bournemouth) a few days ago is difficult. We left the game a bit open but we dug in for three points.”
Arsenal may have had an easier time if visiting keeper Dmytro Riznyk hadn’t saved Leandro Trossard’s penalty. Riznyk was unfortunate to score the own goal that sealed the first half’s outcome.
“I don’t know (why Kai Havertz didn’t take the penalty). He is one of the takers but Leo took it,” Arteta said.
Arsenal nearly lost the game as Shakhtar gained confidence and Pedrinho forced keeper David Raya to make an incredible save in stoppage time to block a chance.
“We haven’t conceded much but we need him in those moments,” Arteta said.
Even if Arteta is dealing with some ailments, Marino Pusic, the coach of Shakhtar, talked afterwards about the logistical challenges facing a team from a nation devastated by the ongoing conflict with Russia.
“Our schedule is tough to travel. When I see the attitude and the positivity I’m proud,” he told TNT Sports.
“Tomorrow we fly back to Poland and then we drive on the bus to the train station and then take the night train which is around 20 hours.
“It’s a tough one.
“But this is the way it is.”
