After having a torrid start to the Premier League this season, things are certainly not looking good for Mikel and his men. The Gunners have failed to secure a single point in the opening three games as they sit 20th in the table, the pressure on Mikel, the players, and the management is now more than ever. After suffering a 5-0 humiliation against Manchester City, Arsenal are set to face Norwich City this Saturday. We look at the five players Arsenal will miss against Norwich City.
#5 Sead Kolasinac
The strong, tough-tackling wingback is looking unlikely to start against Norwich after suffering a strong tackle by Joules Kounde as Bosnia faced France in the World Cup qualifiers. Sead was seen being brought off on the stretcher as the injury did not look good at all, Bosnia’s coach revealed that Sead does not look very well too.
Kolasinac has also gained interest from Turkish clubs and could be on his way to Fenerbahce. Although rumors circulating, Sead were seen all over the place last week, he started as a center-back against Manchester City at the Etihad and was seen struggling alongside Rob Holding and Chambers.
#4 Mohamed Elneny
Another player who has caught the eye of Turkish clubs is Mohamed Elneny, the Egyptian who has been linked to a move away from the Emirates for quite some time now. Elneny has just a year left on his contract at North London, and Arsenal will be looking to sell him rather than seeing him leave for free next summer.
Things on the field haven’t looked good for him, as he was brought off in the 33rd minute when Arsenal played Brentford in a friendly behind the doors. While the club said it was just a precaution, the Egyptian football federation confirmed that Elneny sustained a muscle injury, leaving his participation against Norwich in doubt.
#3 Eddie Nketiah
Another player who suffered an injury and will be out of contention for the Norwich game is Eddie Nketiah. The youngster was injured during the pre-season clash against Chelsea as he sustained an ankle injury. Arsenal have severely missed the absence of a striker as they did not have Nketiah, Aubameyang, or Lacazette for their opening two games.
The English forward is expected to return to full training later this month, but will miss the match against Norwich this week. While there were rumours of Nketiah being linked to a move away from the Emirates, it seems that he has now decided to stay at Arsenal.
#2 Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka will be unavailable for the match against Norwich City on Saturday, as he was sent off against Manchester City last week at the Etihad. He saw a red card for a poor challenge on Spanish international Ferran Torres, who scored a brace in the game as City bashed Arsenal 5-0.
Furthermore, Granit could be sidelined for more than just one game after he contracted with the Covid-19 while on international duty, the Swiss FA confirmed.
#1 Emile Smith Rowe
Arsenal’s number 10 Emile Smith Rowe could potentially miss the match against the Canaries after he was unable to start while on international duty due to illness. English U21 coach confirmed that Smith Rowe was feeling under the weather and that it wasn’t Covid.
Even though Arsenal have struggled in the first few games, Emile personally has been seen giving his all and will be missed against Norwich as he features in this list of Five players Arsenal will miss against Norwich City.
