The pressure is on for Mikel Arteta to ensure Arsenal starts strong and makes a mark in the early stages of the campaign.
Arteta addressed the press ahead of Arsenal’s much-anticipated opening clash with Nottingham Forest. He assured,
“Yeah I think everyone is available…”
However, he did acknowledge some absentees.
Injury Update at Arsenal
He provided insights into other injuries, stating,
“We have Mo [Elneny] out, we have Gabriel Jesus with a knee injury, but the rest should be fine.”
Regarding Gabriel Jesus’s condition, Arteta maintained an optimistic yet cautious tone. With less than two weeks since the procedure, he mentioned,
“He’s doing really well to be fair. But it’s something we’re going to be cautious and make sure he comes back in the right way.”
Arteta mentioned that Jesus might start resuming some activities next week. Nevertheless, this cautious approach highlights the club’s commitment to the player’s long-term well-being and return to top form.
Rio Ferdinand Outlines Nketiah’s Value and Title Aspirations
A notable aspect of Arsenal’s Premier League 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest was Eddie Nketiah’s performance. Significantly, Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, observing from the sidelines praised Nketiah’s contribution and potential impact on Arsenal’s title challenge. Especially, in light of Gabriel Jesus’ injury setback.
Ferdinand acknowledged Eddie Nketiah and his knack for finding the back of the net. He emphasized that even though Arsenal may lack a singular prolific scorer, Nketiah’s abilities, along with those of other players, could collectively fill that void. Nketiah’s performance in the absence of key players undermines his true reliability and capability.
Ferdinand’s insight shed light on Nketiah’s rising stature within the squad. He pointed out,
“Man City won the league with someone who scored 51 goals from the center-forward position....‘Arsenal don’t have that guy to do that but they have the potential to do it through a cluster of players.”
This reference to Manchester City’s success further amplifies the significance of having a consistent goal-scoring threat.
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