Arsenal latest including Arteta’s future, injury returns and Klopp praise

Former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema was keen to leave Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League after just six months with Arsenal among the clubs heavily linked with a move for the striker in January.

Arsenal were in the hunt for a star striker this winter but financial fair play regulations have limited their ability to spend big. Benzema was also linked with Chelsea and held talks with Lyon about a return to his former club, but a move failed to materialise. 

Fans with Arsenal tickets know that the second half of the season will always be challenging, and they’ll be praying the club can still compete for the Premier League and Champions League despite now strengthening in January.

Many felt they needed to bring in another defender, too. However, Arteta opted not to dip into the market with summer signing Jurrien Timber on the road to recovery.

Timber suffered a cruciate ligament injury in August not long after Arsenal paid Ajax £38 million for his signature. It was a huge blow and at the time, there were fears he wouldn’t play again this season.

However, the versatile defender has recovered quicker than expected and could play a major part in the final two months of the season. Given Arsenal hope to be challenging for trophies still during that period, it won’t be easy for Timber to hit the ground running, but his return will still be a big boost.

Injuries Hamper Arsenal Progress

Manager Mikel Arteta is again facing a massive challenge with his key players injured. 

While Arsenal are pushing to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window, all the fans with Arsenal fans are worried about their key players ahead of the next few games. 

With Gabriel Jesus once again missing from the training images, there is an indication that the striker is once again struck with time away from the sport. 

Here’s the latest on Arsenal’s Key Players: 

Declan Rice’s Hamstring Worry 

Following the 5-0 win over Crystal Palace, manager Mikel Artera assured everyone that Declan’s hamstring injury wasn’t as serious as it had been speculated.

The England international was able to make a swift return to action against Nottingham Forest in midweek, but fans will be keeping a close eye on Rice to see if he’s fully over his hamstring issue.

Gabriel Magalhaes back

Another defensive stalwart, Gabriel Magalhaes, was taken out in the Palace game, and it brought fear to the fans that there was another injury. Arteta suggested the substitution was a precautionary move, and the player continues to be under assessment. 

Magalhaes was also absent from the recent training images last week but was passed fit to start against Forest on Tuesday night. 

Thomas Partey’s Comeback

Thomas Partey has made significant progress in his recovery journey. A crucial asset for Arteta’s side, seeing him back at training was a great consolation for the fans with Arsenal tickets. Partey’s return injects a much-needed boost in the midfield and experience into the Arsenal squad. 

This boosts their midfield options, and it can eventually come in handy if Arteta wants to switch his formations if the injury worsens. For Arsenal to go the distance this year, Partey would be needed at his optimum capacity. 

Fabio Vieira Nearing Return

The Portuguese midfielder, who’s had surgery for a groin injury, is still expected to be out for several weeks. The conservative treatment did not yield the right results initially, and it meant that he needed surgical intervention. 

Arsenal fans will have to wait until February to see Viera back. 

Takehiro Tomiyasu’s International Duty: Uncertain Return 

Takehiro Tomiyasu, who recently recovered from a calf problem, is now with the Japan national side at the Asian Cup. 

While the Japanese defender could be back in February, his absence for international commitments might extend his return date. 

Arteta will likely have to manage his defensive lineup carefully in the next few games, considering that Tomiyasu will have more weeks off in line. 

Mikel Arteta Not Leaving Arsenal 

Amidst the speculation, Mike Arteta reassured fans with Arsenal tickets that he isn’t leaving, and the rumor that he was offered the Barcelona job is false. 

Speaking to the media, he added that he is in the right place and is embracing a journey with the club. 

He further added that there is a long to go, and he wants to spend the next few years at Arsenal. 

“Things come in a natural way. When the time is right we will have those [contract] discussions and find the best way to deal with it.

Arteta has a contract with Arsenal until 2025, and the manager admitted that there are no talks on a new deal. 

Praise for Klopp from Arteta 

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised the contribution and the competition that Jurgen Klopp brought into the Premier League and wished him the best of luck as he moves on to his next chapter in life. 

Arteta added that Klopp made the league much better and praised Klopp’s character and charisma, along with his passion for the game. 

“He’s had a big contribution to the growth of this league, and I love the way he did it. The emotion that he put in and when you see the human side explaining the reasons behind, he was spot on.” he further added. 

He also supported Klopp’s move to take time off from football, as Arteta acknowledged the mental toll it takes on a person when it comes to managing a top-tier club. 

Arteta echoed the sentiments that it is a stressful affair while managing a club can look great to the outside. 

“We put so many hours and our lives into it, and sometimes you feel that you don’t have it anymore. It can happen when you’re a player when you do any job, and as a manager, you have to be cautious managing that energy and your time and how much you invest on that because it is extremely demanding.”