Arsenal will be missing five crucial players for their upcoming match against Manchester United, presenting a significant challenge for Mikel Arteta…

Arsenal will be missing five crucial players for their upcoming match against Manchester United, presenting a significant challenge for manager Mikel Arteta.

Mikel Arteta faces a setback as Arsenal will not have five important players available for the showdown against Manchester United.

As Manchester United prepares for the Sunday encounter, they are eager to secure a much-needed victory in the Premier League.

The team has only managed to win nine league matches this season, marking their lowest tally at this point in over three decades.

Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim’s squad is likely prioritizing their important Europa League match against Real Sociedad on Thursday, as success in this tournament is their best chance to qualify for European competition next season.

Despite their focus on Europe, United must also aim to improve their domestic performance to build momentum.

They will face an Arsenal team that has seen its title aspirations fade recently, currently trailing league leaders Liverpool by 13 points.

Arsenal’s injury woes add to their difficulties, with several key players sidelined.

Here’s the latest update on their injury situation, with at least five players expected to miss the trip to Old Trafford:

Kai Havertz

Havertz’s torn hamstring was confirmed earlier this month, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

The club announced that further evaluations have determined that surgery is necessary, which will occur in the coming days.

Following the procedure, Havertz will begin his recovery and rehabilitation, which is anticipated to extend into the pre-season for the next campaign.

The club is committed to supporting him in his return to full fitness as swiftly as possible.

Havertz shared his thoughts on social media after his surgery, stating, “The last few days have been tough to process both physically and mentally. But yesterday was a good day.”

A successful operation and a positive outcome. I appreciate all the supportive messages received over the past few days; they have been incredibly helpful.

My current focus is on my recovery towards full fitness and providing as much assistance as possible to the team from behind the scenes.

Arteta’s comments: “He was attempting to stop a shot following a set piece and felt a strain in his hamstring.”

Anticipated return date: Summer 2025.

Gabriel Martinelli

Martinelli experienced a hamstring issue during the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle.

He left the field limping, and reports from South America suggest he may be sidelined for a month.

Arteta’s remarks: “He felt something in his hamstring and was not comfortable continuing. We will conduct an MRI scan tomorrow to assess the injury’s severity.”

Before the match against Forest, Arteta indicated that Martinelli is “still a bit far” from returning.

Expected return date: End of March.

Bukayo Saka

Arsenal’s standout player, Saka, has been out of action since December 21 due to a hamstring injury sustained against Crystal Palace.

He has been seen at the training facility but has not yet participated in training sessions.

Arteta’s statement: “I can’t say for certain. We are dealing with a long-term injury.

In the case of a 10-day injury, three days can make a significant difference, but for a three-month injury, a week may not matter as much.

It’s still early in the rehabilitation process, and as he progresses to more intensive activities, we will have a clearer picture.”

When asked if Saka had encountered a setback in his recovery, Arteta responded: “No, everything is fine.”

Ahead of the draw at Forest, Arteta confirmed that the England international is “still a bit far” from returning.

Expected return date: End of March 2025.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Tomiyasu has only played six minutes this season after missing most of the previous term.

Reports suggest that the right-back may need a second knee surgery following treatment received in 2023.

Arteta’s statement: “Tomiyasu will also be unavailable for a period.”

Expected return date: Not specified.

Gabriel Jesus

Jesus sustained an ACL injury during the FA Cup loss to Manchester United in January. The 27-year-old forward has undergone surgery on his left knee and is now expected to be out for an extended duration.

Arteta’s comment: “The situation does not look promising. We need to consult with the specialist and will have more details later today.

I prefer not to make any confirmations until we receive the final report this afternoon. We were quite concerned immediately after the match, and our worries persist today.”

Expected return date: Summer 2025.