Mikel Arteta knows Arsenal must accept the reality of their injury problems and deal with them ahead of their Champions League meeting with Monaco.
The Gunners have been hampered by injuries this season and are concerned about Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori and Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of Wednesday's match at the Emirates Stadium.
Fellow defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are already sidelined, while Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey also missed training on Tuesday.
Arsenal were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw with Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday and failed to make up ground on pacers Liverpool.
However, Arteta says they cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves, telling reporters: “It is what it is. We have to accept the reality and move on.
“We have to manage a large number of players. Some of them will probably not be fit. Some of them are still in doubt. We have 24 hours to make decisions, hopefully the right ones.”
Hard at work for Monaco tomorrow pic.twitter.com/1yAK5pND1D
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 10, 2024
More positive news is that Kieran Tierney – who is back in training after a six-month absence with a hamstring injury – could make his first European appearance for Arsenal since November 2022, with Arteta happy with the left-back's determination.
“He is ready and training very well and he will definitely get a chance, the way the team looks at the moment,” he said of Tierney, who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad.
“He's going to do it for that reason and because he's earned it. The way he's behaved, the way he's been with us, he's willing to do it. When that happens, you have to give opportunities to those types of players .”
Arsenal sit seventh in the Champions League standings, only ahead of Monaco – who started their season by upsetting Barcelona – due to their superior goal difference.
“I'm really impressed. You see the performances they have done in the Champions League. They are a real threat with a lot of quality,” said Arteta.
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