Arsenal at risk of eight stars missing West Ham including Xhaka and Luiz
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Mikel Arteta’s first full season as Arsenal boss got off to the perfect start last weekend, as Arsenal thumped Fulham 3-0 at Craven Coattge.
As well as picking up all three points, new signings Gabriel Magalhaes and Willian shone on debut, with the former scoring his first goal for the club.
It’s another London derby for the Gunners this weekend as West Ham make the trip across the capital on Saturday night.
But they do have a number of injury concerns just days into the new season.
Here’s Arsenal’s injury list in full ahead of the clash with the Hammers:
Granit Xhaka (Ankle)
The Arsenal midfielder started last weekend, but did receive some treatment after appearing to suffer a knock to the ankle.
It’s not thought to be too serious, with Xhaka staying on the pitch and only being substituted with 11 minutes remaining.
PremierInjuries.com say he’s being assessed by club staff, but do rate his chances of playing at 75%.
David Luiz (Neck)
(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Luiz missed the opening day after suffering a neck injury during the Community Shield victory over Liverpool at Wembley.
Prior to the win at Fulham, Arsenal offered the following update: “Currently being assessed and undergoing treatment with good response.”
Remains a doubt for West Ham, although Gabriel’s impressive debut will ease the need to rush him back into the lineup.
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New signings Willian and Gabriel Magalhaes both hit the ground running against Fulham but Mikel Arteta is still on the lookout for new signings. Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar and Brentford keeper David Raya are two of the names on their radar.
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Pablo Mari (ankle)
(Image: PA)
Mari suffered a season ending injury in the defeat to Manchester City back in June, the first game back following the coronavirus suspension.
Arsenal’s official site have now confirmed that his recovery is at the stage where he can run outside and continue his strengthening programme.
It looks as if Arteta will hold Mari back until the bunch of fixtures after the next international break, in order to ease the defender back to full fitness.
Sokratis (thigh)
The Greek defender is expected to leave the club in the current window, but is still involved in Arteta’s squad until his future is fully resolved.
Picked up a thigh strain in the build-up to the new season, but last week it was revealed he should be back in full training by the end of this week.
Rated as 50/50 to be available this weekend by PremierInjuries.
Calum Chambers (knee)
(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Suffered a ruptured ACL against Chelsea back in December, but is now edging closer to a return to full training.
Arsenal confirmed last week that Chambers is, “running outside with team-mates and taking part in ball work”.
And although the club are reluctant to put a timescale on his recovery, there are hopes he could be back in training next month.
Shkodran Mustafi (hamstring)
Similarly to Chambers, Mustafi hopes to return to full training next month after suffering a hamstring injury in the FA Cup semi final win over Man City last season.
He had a “successful small procedure completed soon after injury” and is now running outside with teammates.
(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Emile Smith-Rowe (shoulder)
Smith-Rowe enjoyed an impressive loan spell in the Championship with Huddersfield Town last season and hoped to impress Arteta this time around.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
However, a lingering shoulder issue saw him miss the game at Fulham and will likely see him not involved again vs West Ham.
Is still wearing a protective sling on the shoulder, although that should be removed by the end of the week.
Gabriel Martinelli (knee)
Gunners forward Gabriel Martinelli is set to miss the rest of 2020 after suffering a knee cartilage injury.
On Martinelli, Arsenal revealed he has had a “successful arthroscopic procedure undertaken to repair a lesion in the cartilage of the left knee”.
They also confirmed that he has returned to Brazil to continue his recovery, with the hope of him returning to full training by the end of the calendar year.
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