Arsenal’s late collapse at Aston Villa and a string of recent injuries have left Mikel Arteta searching for answers ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League trip to face Club Brugge
A first loss since August has sent Arsenal spiralling, but Mikel Arteta has the chance to restore equilibrium at Club Brugge. The Gunners travel for the latest leg of their Champions League journey on Wednesday as the only team yet to taste defeat in the competition.
Following Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Aston Villa, however, Arsenal are at risk of capitulation should they suffer another setback in Belgium. And Arteta has a rare opportunity to make the most of a UEFA rule change in order to top up his ranks following yet another recent injury.
The Gunners also have hope in the sense that Wednesday’s opponents aren’t in a strong vein of form heading into the midweek matchup. Mirror Football explores all the latest around the Emirates as Arsenal look to keep their place atop the Champions League standings.
Champions League rule change
A recent spate of injuries appears to be taking its toll at Arsenal, at least if the loss at Villa Park was anything to go by. And summer signing Cristhian Mosquera is among the latest on the treatment table due to an ankle problem that could rule him out for six to eight weeks.
Per a UEFA rule that was introduced ahead of this season, Arsenal are permitted to replace Mosquera in their Champions League squad for the remainder of the league phase. That’s led to speculation that because of the rule change, the returning Gabriel Jesus could take his place given Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard are currently out, while Viktor Gyokeres has only recently recovered from his own blow.
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However, football.london has reported Arteta will ignore the chance to call up Jesus and instead keep Mosquera among his options. This is understood to be in the hope Mosquera will be back in time to help with Arsenal’s final first-round fixtures.
Jesus is yet to appear this season after suffering an ACL injury in January but has returned to full training. He recently made the bench for two Premier League games as an unused substitute before he missed the Villa game to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United instead.
This week is the last opportunity Arteta will have to exploit the new UEFA loophole, which is no longer in play after Matchday 6 (this week’s round of fixtures). But all signs currently suggest the deadline could pass without Arteta making a change.
Club Brugge update boosts Gunners
If Arsenal were in need of good news following their Villa Park setback, Club Brugge’s form record should make for fun reading. What’s more, the Belgian giants are in the midst of an injury crisis that could see as many as nine of their players miss out on Wednesday.
Nicky Hayen’s side currently sit 26th in the Champions League standings and have won only one of their five games thus far in the competition. Poor returns aren’t limited to their European efforts, however, given Club Brugge have also lost three of their last four games in all competitions.
Among their current list of absentees are both senior goalkeepers, Nordin Jackers and ex-Liverpool stopper Simon Mignolet. That means Dani van den Heuvel should continue between the sticks, while long-term injuries will keep Ludovit Reis, Lynnt Audoor and Zaid Romero out of contention.
On top of that, it looks as though Jorne Spileers and Mamadou Diakhon won’t face Arsenal after coming down with illness. Romeo Vermant is going through concussion protocols, while Kyriani Sabbe is struggling with a groin problem.
Club Brugge still aren’t to be taken lightly considering Barcelona were held to a 3-3 draw at Jan Breydel Stadium last month. However, Hayden’s increasing list of squad issues certainly players in favour of the English guests.
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