Arsenal fans will be holding their breath once again after Leandro Trossard was forced off the pitch during Belgium’s 1-0 defeat to Israel on the final day of the international break.
Mikel Arteta is no stranger to the frustrations that come with players returning from international duty with injuries, and this latest setback for Trossard has only added to the growing list of concerns for the Gunners. Trossard’s injury, while not yet fully detailed, is raising alarms, particularly after he was withdrawn in the first half of the game against Israel after just 37 minutes.
The winger had already shown signs of discomfort before being taken off the pitch, and his early exit has sparked speculation regarding the severity of the injury. Belgium head coach Domenico Tedesco addressed the situation briefly after the match, acknowledging that Trossard, along with Zeno Debast, had to be substituted due to injury. “I believe we had 21 injured players in the previous qualifying stage, and today we lost Leo Trossard and Zeno Debast to injuries,” Tedesco said in his post-match comments, as reported by UEFA. Despite these issues, Tedesco did not provide much detail on the nature of Trossard’s injury, leaving fans to speculate further on the forward’s condition.
This injury comes as a surprise for Trossard, who has generally been durable throughout his career. Since joining Arsenal in January 2023, Trossard has missed just one match due to injury, a 2-2 draw with Spurs last season. Given this relatively clean bill of health, there is hope that the winger’s latest setback won’t be a serious one. However, Arteta and Arsenal’s medical staff will undoubtedly be monitoring the situation closely in the days ahead.
Adding to Arsenal’s injury woes, Trossard’s absence could create a major void in the squad, especially considering the current injury situation at the club. Bukayo Saka, another key player for Arsenal, was also forced off during the recent 2-2 draw with Chelsea, and has since withdrawn from the England squad. With Saka potentially unavailable for the next few games, the pressure on other attacking players like Trossard to step up has only increased. Now, with Trossard facing his own injury concerns, Arteta will need to find ways to adapt his squad.
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The uncertainty around Trossard’s recovery timeline only adds to the growing list of Arsenal players currently nursing injuries. Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Ødegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney are all dealing with their own fitness issues, and Arteta is expected to face a real headache in managing these absences. With a crucial Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest looming on November 23, Arsenal supporters are anxiously awaiting an update on Trossard’s condition, as well as the status of the other key players on the injury list.
Arsenal’s media team will likely provide an update on Trossard’s injury ahead of Arteta’s pre-match press conference later this week. As always, reporters will be keen to hear more on the winger’s recovery and whether he’ll be available for the upcoming matches. If Trossard is sidelined for an extended period, it will be yet another blow for Arteta, who has already had to cope with several high-profile injuries this season.
Despite the gloom surrounding Arsenal’s injury problems, Arteta will have to stay focused on the next challenge: Nottingham Forest. The Gunners are scheduled to take on Forest at the Emirates on Saturday, November 23, and will be looking to extend their strong form in the Premier League. Arsenal fans will be hoping that, despite the injury setbacks, the team can continue their winning ways and maintain their place at the top of the table.
It is still unclear whether Trossard will be ready for the Nottingham Forest fixture, but if he’s unavailable, Arteta may have to adjust his tactics. Fortunately for the manager, Arsenal has a deep squad with versatile players who can step into different roles. However, replacing Trossard’s creativity and work rate on the wing would be a tough challenge, especially in a match that could prove pivotal in the race for the title.
As Arsenal fans anxiously await more information on Trossard’s injury, the broader question remains: How long will the club’s injury woes continue? With multiple key players sidelined, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Arteta to field his strongest XI on a consistent basis. While the club has managed to cope with injuries so far, the real test will be how Arsenal fares in the next few weeks, especially as the fixtures pile up in the busy winter months.
Ultimately, the hope for Arsenal is that Trossard’s injury will not be as serious as it initially seemed. If the winger can recover in time for upcoming fixtures, it would be a huge boost for Arteta and his squad. However, as the international break draws to a close, the Gunners will be keeping their fingers crossed for a clean bill of health for Trossard and the rest of the team.
As always, football fans around the world will be watching closely to see how the situation develops. Arsenal’s next few matches could play a key role in shaping their season, and with a squad that is already stretched thin due to injuries, every player will be crucial. Fans can expect to hear more updates on Trossard and the other injured players in the coming days, and with the Nottingham Forest match fast approaching, Arsenal will need all hands on deck to continue their charge for the Premier League title.
In the meantime, Arsenal supporters can only wait and hope for good news on Trossard’s recovery.
