Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta problems stack up as Gary Neville cautions against excuse
Arsenal are preparing for two games this week but will be without several of their leading lights as Gary Neville claimed their injury list cannot be used as an excuse
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorArsenal lost ground in the Premier League title race at the weekend - but must prepare to get straight back on the horse.
The Gunners were stunned at Bournemouth, who took advantage of a first-half red card given to William Saliba to claim victory. It means they are now four points off the Premier League leaders Liverpool, whom they face this Sunday in a blockbuster clash at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta will be without his centre-half for that game as questions continue to be asked over Arsenal's disciplinary problems with Saliba their third red card of the season. Before that they resume their Champions League campaign with Shakhtar Donetsk heading to the English capital.
Here's the latest from north London.
Injury crisis stacks up
Arsenal could be without a number of key stars for their clashes this week. Skipper Martin Odegaard remains sidelined with the knee injury that he sustained last month. Bukayo Saka is also a doubt having pulled out of international duty before missing the weekend defeat to Bournemouth.
While Arteta is optimistic that they could be back in action sooner rather than later, the duo are still major doubts for Tuesday’s contest. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Spaniard said: “They are closer. Both progressing well. Martin [Odegaard] not fit. With Bukayo let’s see how he is with the training session later on.”
Takehiro Tomiyasu remains sidelined, while Jurrien Timber is also struggling with his own fitness issues. Arteta has also admitted that the Dutchman could miss the game.
Neville dismisses Arteta excuse
Speaking of missing players - Gary Neville says Arteta cannot use the absence of key individuals as an excuse after Arsenal ceded ground in the title race.
“No Saka, Odegaard or Timber against Bournemouth? I get that but we're talking about playing Bournemouth, who are a good side, but they have a squad of 20 to deal with Champions League football and a couple of injuries. We know players will be missing at certain points in the season,” said Neville on Sky Sports.
“Saka always plays. If you were going to say you miss him once, twice, three times in a season then Bournemouth away would be one of the games you may say, 'Okay that's fine we have a squad to deal with it'. You can't be one player away, having a one-match ban, and the level go from here [high] to here [low]. You have to remain consistent and reliable if you get an injury.”
Webb conspiracy cleared up
The PGMOL have maintained that Howard Webb was listening to VAR audio during Arsenal's loss at Bournemouth amid conspiracy theories that he was influencing decisions. With the game goalless in the first half the visiting side went down to ten men when Saliba was given a red card following a challenge as the last man.
He bought down Evanilson and VAR jumped in to help referee Rob Jones make the decision, with the official heading over to the screen to review the decision. Webb was in the crowd at the Vitality Stadium and was seen holding his phone and listening to something via an ear piece.
Saliba did receive his marching orders and it led to some suggesting that Webb was making recommendations from the stands. That idea has quickly been dismissed and the Premier League referees chief was simply listening to the method by which the officials arrived at the decision.
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