Arteta Admits Arsenal Are Investigating Warm-Up Routines After 'Unusual' Injury Spate
Mikel Arteta has revealed that Arsenal are scrutinizing their pre-match warm-up protocols "big time" following a concerning series of injuries that have occurred just before kick-off this season. The Gunners' manager expressed his frustration as key players, including Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori, have been forced to withdraw from starting lineups due to last-minute fitness issues.
Calafiori Latest Victim of Pre-Match Setback
Riccardo Calafiori became the latest casualty, dropping out of the FA Cup tie against Wigan after sustaining an injury during the warm-up. This marked the second such incident for the Italian defender and the fourth overall for Arsenal this campaign. Arteta confirmed that Calafiori should be available for the upcoming match against Wolves but emphasized the club's proactive approach to addressing the pattern.
"We are big time looking at it," Arteta stated. "The incidents were very different: the first time was Willy [Saliba] rolling his ankle against Liverpool, then we had two incidents with Ricky [Calafiori] in the warm-up in a very similar way, then one with Bukayo [Saka] after he was rested in midweek."
Manager Highlights Statistical Anomaly
Arteta pointed out the statistical rarity of these occurrences, noting that such pre-match injuries had only happened once or twice in his previous six years at the club. "It's very unusual. I think it's only happened once or twice in the six years I've been here. But it's happened four times this year. We are looking into it, but it is what it is. We have to learn," he explained.
Arteta's Growing Anxiety Before Matches
The Arsenal boss admitted to developing a sense of dread as kick-off approaches, particularly when hearing his office door open. "I can feel in my body that I'm more aware of it. In the office at the moment if I hear my door and somebody stepping in I'm like: 'No please,' because it's a moment that's very tricky," Arteta shared.
He elaborated on the tactical challenges posed by these late changes, requiring rapid adjustments to game plans. "When you change Ricky for Bakayo you have to change other things within the gameplan; positionally there are a lot of things that are different, that you have two minutes to change. It makes you a better coach because you have to be: 'What if? What if?'"
Questioning the Value of Traditional Warm-Ups
Arteta raised provocative questions about the efficacy of standard warm-up routines, suggesting they might warrant reevaluation. "Hopefully the players are already warm. But the warm-up is so that the players are activated to be absolutely at their best physically and mentally, to be connected with their teammates," he said.
"It's a really good area to look at, though. What would happen if we didn't do the warm-up? Because then at half-time we sit for almost for 15 minutes and then we go full guns again in the second half. So maybe it's something to think about," Arteta concluded, indicating a potential shift in Arsenal's pre-match preparations as they seek to mitigate further injuries and maintain their title challenge.
