Arsenal News: Injury woes continue as Smith Rowe and Martinelli doubtful ahead of Southampton clash

Arsenal News: Arsenal would like to put away Monday night’s defeat at Everton behind them as they prepare to take on Southampton at Emirates on Saturday afternoon. They were beaten by Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park in the Premier League.

After a woeful start to this campaign, Mikel Arteta somehow changed the ways at Arsenal and got them stable. But losing their last three games out of four has changed the atmosphere at the Emirates. The fans are now getting easily frustrated with the kind of football being played under Arteta.

And to this extend, Mikel Arteta has injury issues on his hands too. His side takes on Southampton on Saturday at home in a must-win encounter.

The good news is that Granit Xhaka will make a comeback before time. Sead Kolasinac is the only remaining long-term concern for them. Even some of the youngsters like Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli are doubtful ahead of the Southampton game.

Arsenal News: The players who will miss the Southampton game

Emile Smith Rowe

Emile Smith Rowe has really stepped up his game and has become a first-team option for Arteta. His recent good form earned him a first England senior call-up and debut in the last international break.

He had suffered a minor groin issue when Arsenal played against Manchester United. He wasn’t fit for the game against Everton and is doubtful for the Southampton game too.

Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli had suffered a hamstring problem while playing against Everton. The official update on his injury will come later this week.

It all depends on the severity and the location of the hamstring strain that how much time he will be out of action.

Bernd Leno

The goalkeeper Bernd Leno didn’t play against both Manchester United and Everton. He had picked up a slight groin issue in the training due to which he is out of action. He is also doubtful for the game against Southampton.

Sead Kolasinac

Sead Kolasinac, the Bosnian defender had picked up a ‘significant’ ankle injury in a World Cup qualifier against Finland recently. The left-back had to be carried off of the pitch.

He is not expected to be fit for the foreseeable future and has also missed quite a lot of games due to that.

12thMan Opinion

The problems for Mikel Arteta just keep creeping up as his main players in the form of Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli are out. They would not feature against a formidable Southampton side. I would not take anything away from Southampton but for Arsenal, it should be an easy three points.