Injuries have become an unavoidable storyline in the Premier League this season, with several top clubs grappling with significant absences that have impacted their form.
While managers like Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have openly expressed frustration over their teams’ injury crises, new data reveals a more complex picture. Contrary to popular belief, Manchester City and Arsenal, two of the league’s title contenders, are not among the most injury-plagued clubs, though they have both faced their fair share of setbacks.
Manchester City, in particular, have had to cope without several key players, including their Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri, who is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. Despite Guardiola’s claims that his current injury crisis is the worst he has faced in his managerial career, the numbers suggest that City’s struggles are not as severe as some of their rivals. Similarly, Arsenal have been without captain Martin Ødegaard for nearly two months due to an ankle injury, and Arteta has lamented his team’s “nightmare” injury situation. However, both clubs are actually better off than five other Premier League teams, according to the latest injury data.
The Premier League’s injury woes have been closely tracked by Premier Injuries, which monitors how many players each club has lost due to injury, with those absences resulting in players missing at least one match. The numbers show that Tottenham Hotspur have suffered more injuries than any other team this season, with manager Ange Postecoglou being forced to cope without 13 players for at least one match. Spurs’ injury list includes key figures such as captain Son Heung-min, Micky van de Ven, Dominic Solanke, and Richarlison, all of whom have missed substantial time.
Following closely behind Tottenham are Brighton and Ipswich, both of which have had 12 players miss at least one match due to injury. Aston Villa and Crystal Palace round out the top five, with both clubs having been without 11 players each. While City and Arsenal both rank with 10 players missing, the two title contenders will surely feel justified in voicing their grievances. This is especially true when considering that league leaders Liverpool have only had seven players miss a match this season, the lowest of any club in the top half.
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For City, the absentees are numerous, with key players such as Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, John Stones, Matheus Nunes, Manuel Akanji, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, and Nathan Ake all currently unavailable. Despite these injuries, City have remained competitive, with Guardiola’s tactical adaptability helping to keep them in the title hunt. Arsenal, on the other hand, have had their own injury struggles, with a list that includes Ben White, Raheem Sterling, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori, Leandro Trossard, and Kieran Tierney all sidelined. Arteta’s team has fought valiantly, but their depth has been tested, and their inability to field a full-strength squad has undoubtedly contributed to their current position in the league standings.
At the bottom of the injury table, West Ham have had a relatively quiet start to the season injury-wise, with only two players missing matches so far. This minimal disruption could be a factor in the Hammers’ somewhat stable performance under manager Julen Lopetegui. On the other hand, Manchester United, who finished atop the injury table last season with 45 players missing due to injury under Erik ten Hag, have seen a significant improvement in this department. Under new manager Ruben Amorim, United have only had seven players miss matches this season, with defenders Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro both returning to training after extended absences.
Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford has brought some hope of stability, and his first match in charge will be an away trip to Ipswich Town, where United will look to continue their recovery from a difficult start to the season. The Portuguese manager has shown a preference for a 3-4-3 formation, a system he employed successfully during his time at Sporting CP, and he will likely stick to it as he looks to steer United back into contention for a top-four finish.
Injury data not only highlights the challenges faced by individual clubs but also gives an indication of how well teams are coping with adversity. For teams like Tottenham and Brighton, who have been forced to deal with a large number of injuries, the season has already been one of significant struggle. Meanwhile, clubs like Liverpool, West Ham, and Manchester United have had comparatively fewer absences, which has likely contributed to their more stable performances thus far.
As the Premier League season progresses, injury issues will continue to play a significant role in shaping the title race and the battle for European spots. With some clubs facing mounting injury lists, others will be hoping to keep their squads intact as the season reaches its crucial stages. For City and Arsenal, while they may not be the worst-hit teams in terms of injuries, their struggles with key absences have certainly put their title aspirations to the test.
Injuries are an inherent part of football, but their impact can often be the difference between winning and losing, particularly for the top teams vying for silverware. As we move deeper into the season, keeping an eye on how injuries continue to affect Premier League clubs will be crucial in understanding the dynamics of the league and the potential outcomes of the title race. For now, it’s clear that City and Arsenal’s injury woes are significant but far from the worst in the league, and their ability to manage these absences will determine their fate in the coming months.
