Saka and Martinelli missing with seven others - Worst-case Arsenal line-up vs Bournemouth

football.london explore what an Arsenal team could look like if all nine doubts miss their upcoming fixtures

There could be a scenario where Arsenal are without as many as six starting players who have established themselves into the side this season. While the Gunners have certainly had serious injury problems in the past, this is perhaps the worst that Mikel Arteta has had to deal with since taking over close to five years ago.

Prior to the Southampton game, Kai Havertz, Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli all were available to start. Since that game, all four have either pulled out of international duty with issues before playing or in the case of the two wingers, have since suffered problems while with their respective nations.

All are therefore doubts about the weekend with varying levels of confidence in making it. Already out of the team are several players creating a list which creates a level of congestion in the medical room.

Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney, Jurrien Timber and Benjamin White have all been on the sidelines prior to the international fortnight and there are still question marks as to whether any will be able to make a return. Odegaard and Tierney are certainly not in the frame right now as they continue rehabilitation from longer-term problems.

Therefore, when it comes to putting together an eleven which does not include any of the nine aforementioned stars it both showcases the weight of the problem Arteta has, but also the depth that he and sporting director Edu have managed to bring together. David Raya is thankfully available, as are William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori who make up four of the back five.

At right-back with White and Timber still in question, the return of Takehiro Tomiyasu to fitness, after his cameo against the Saints, could not be more timely. He slots straight into the full-back position to get some valuable minutes.

READ MORE: Gabriel Jesus has seven games to save Arsenal career as Mikel Arteta eyes £84m replacement

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola dream, Thomas Tuchel Man Utd dilemma, Arsenal boost - Next England manager decided

The midfield without Odegaard is an interesting one and perhaps where Ethan Nwaneri can fit into the role, but many and even perhaps Mikel Arteta believe this could be too soon. Therefore, throwing Mikel Merino into a more advanced role could be an answer.

Behind the Spaniard would be Declan Rice who takes on the number six role. Despite the worries over Nwaneri mentioned before, he does indeed take this role over the idea of Jorginho coming in to push Merino up – this strategy would just be too defensive for my liking.

Up top, Gabriel Jesus fulfils the absence of Havertz and would be needed to deliver goals which so far this season have eluded him. Either side are the ever-capable Leandro Trossard on the left and in Saka’s role is Raheem Sterling who could be the depth on the right Arteta’s side has been looking for.

Possible Arsenal XI: Raya; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Merino, Nwaneri; Sterling, Jesus, Trossard