Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been handed a significant defensive headache ahead of his side's crucial Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea, with two key players facing a race against time to be fit.
Defensive Duo Facing Stamford Bridge Race
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Arteta revealed that first-choice centre-back William Saliba is a major doubt for the trip to Stamford Bridge. The French international could be joined on the sidelines by attacker Leandro Trossard, dealing a potential double blow to the Gunners' plans.
This news comes just as Arteta had been able to restore his preferred central defensive partnership, with Gabriel Magalhaes returning from injury at the end of December. The potential absence of Saliba disrupts that stability at a critical moment.
Calafiori's Return Still 'Weeks' Away
Compounding Arsenal's defensive issues is the continued absence of summer signing Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian defender has not featured since the victory over Crystal Palace in the previous round, after pulling up in the warm-up ahead of the Premier League clash with Brighton on 27 December.
Arteta provided a vague but concerning update on the former Bologna star's condition. 'He’s progressing, but we don’t know,' the manager stated. 'A few weeks, probably, but we don’t know exactly yet.' This confirms Calafiori will miss not only the Chelsea tie but also the upcoming FA Cup clash against Portsmouth.
Hincapie Hamstring Adds to Left-Back Worries
The injury list extends further, with utility defender Piero Hincapie also ruled out. The Ecuador international, who had become Arteta's preferred option to cover at left-back ahead of Myles Lewis-Skelly, suffered a hamstring injury during last week's dramatic draw with Liverpool.
Arteta was unable to provide a clear timeline for Hincapie's return, definitively ruling him out of the trip to west London. This leaves Arsenal potentially short of options in multiple defensive positions for one of their biggest games of the season so far.
The mounting injury concerns present a severe test of Arsenal's squad depth as they enter a pivotal period. Navigating the semi-final against a resurgent Chelsea without key defensive pillars could define their pursuit of the first domestic trophy of the campaign.
