Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed he’s ready to get inventive with his tactics as the Gunners face a crucial period without key defender Gabriel Magalhaes, who has been sidelined for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury requiring surgery.
The Brazilian’s absence comes as a significant blow, especially with Arsenal neck-and-neck in the Premier League title race against Liverpool. Gabriel has been a consistent presence alongside William Saliba at the heart of Arsenal’s defence, and his loss presents a major challenge as the season hits its most decisive stretch.
“It was tough to digest,” Arteta admitted. “We had just welcomed Bukayo [Saka] back, and then we lost Gabi. But the way the team reacted, like it has all season, makes me really proud. Now, we have to find other solutions and keep pushing forward.”
Injury Pile-Up Ahead of Real Madrid Showdown
The timing couldn’t be worse for Arsenal, who face Real Madrid next week in the Champions League quarter-finals. To make matters worse, Riccardo Calafiori is also out due to a knee issue, adding further pressure on the depleted backline.
However, there is a glimmer of hope: both Ben White and Jurrien Timber are showing signs of recovery and could return to action as early as this weekend’s clash with Everton.
“In the past week, we’ve lost four players, including Ric,” said Arteta. “But Ben and Jurrien might have a chance. We’ll see how they are tomorrow. The focus is to keep playing and competing at the level we’ve set.”
Arteta Open to Tactical Tweaks to Plug the Gaps
With his squad stretched thin, Arteta acknowledged the possibility of repositioning players to fill the gaps. While midfielder Mikel Merino has already been deployed as a striker, the manager hinted that other role changes could be on the table , though he hopes to avoid major disruptions to the team’s structure.
“There are a few options on the table,” Arteta noted. “Hopefully, we won’t have to go too deep into those changes, but we are prepared if needed.”
As Arsenal enters the business end of the campaign, the spotlight is now on Arteta’s tactical flexibility and the squad’s resilience to navigate this injury crisis and stay in the hunt for silverware.
