Arsenal facing potential injury crisis after just ONE game and huge transfer spree

Arsenal started their Premier League season with a 1-0 win over Manchester United, but already have injury problems to deal with ahead of their match against Leeds

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta may have to improvise when he names his starting XI to face Leeds this weekend due to injuries. The Gunners began their Premier League campaign with a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, but it may have come at a cost.

Ben White started the game at right-back before being replaced by Jurrien Timber, but both now appear to be struggling with injuries. The defensive duo’s appearances were limited last season by fitness concerns and there were concerning signs at training on Wednesday.

White did not join his team-mates in first-team training and instead underwent an individual session while Timber took part in opening training, but missed the subsequent section.

White was in conversation with club physio Simon Murphy as he walked off in the 71st minute at Old Trafford. The 27-year-old defender only managed 26 appearances in all competitions last season due to a knee injury that required surgery.

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Timber, meanwhile, was unused during the entirety of Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. The Dutchman has struggled with an ankle injury in recent months and is still battling to find full fitness.

Arsenal have spent over £200million to sign Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga, while Eberechi Eze is on the way from Crystal Palace in a £67.5m deal, but they lack cover at right-back if White and Timber can’t start against Leeds on Saturday evening.

Thomas Partey often filled in last season, but he has left this summer, meaning another defender may have to play out of position this weekend. Arteta is due to speak to reporters on Friday in a pre-match press conference, where he may provide an update on White and Timber.

However, it is the injury to Kai Havertz which is most concerning. The Germany international injured his knee at Old Trafford and the club are still waiting for a full assessment of the severity of the problem.

The fact Arsenal moved quickly on Wednesday to hijack Tottenham’s move for Eze suggests it could be significant. The Gunners are already without Gabriel Jesus, who has a long-term knee injury, while Norgaard missed the United trip with a minor issue too.

Arsenal have finished second for three straight years in the Premier League, but William Saliba believes their work in the transfer window could make all the difference. “Of course we’ve finished second for three years in a row, and we know that we always miss something,” he said at the PFA Awards this week. “Now it’s a new season, we have to see what we didn’t do well enough to win the league.

“We won the first game and of course we want to win the league, and we will give everything. We have to try to be even better than the last three seasons to win this league.

“We know that the new players who came to help us, and I’m sure that they will help us to win some trophies. Of course we are already better with them. Let’s see.”

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