January signing Jakub Kiwior impressed on his first start on Tuesday evening, albeit against a blunted Chelsea attack, but the Polish international may be in line for consecutive appearances after Mikel Arteta provided the latest Arsenal injury update on Friday.
Arsenal Injury Update Ahead of Tricky Newcastle Test
Arsenal first-half steamrolling of Chelsea ensured they got their derailed season back on track in midweek, although the possibility of Manchester City dropping points in their final five games remains a remote possibility.
Manager Mikel Arteta opted to rotate several mainstays in the starting XI, including Thomas Partey and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as Rob Holding who has deputised for the injured William Saliba.
The Frenchman’s absence has been glaring amid the Gunners’ stuttering end-of-season form, which has seen them let an eight point cushion at the summit slip in the space of four games.
It now appears the Emirates faithful will be sweating on another defensive casualty, after Gabriel hobbled off the pitch on Tuesday night.
The Brazilian has started every single one of Arsenal 34 Premier League fixtures this term, and there was a discernible hush around the stadium as he crashed the floor in pain.
Arteta was typically reserved in his pre-match press conference, and was unable to give a definitive time frame for Gabriel’s return.
“We will have to see tomorrow how he is,” said the Spaniard.
“He couldn’t finish the game, so that’s obviously a big sign. We will see how he is tomorrow.”
With Holding failing to match the levels required for a side chasing the title, Arteta handed January signing Jakub Kiwior his first league start against Chelsea, much to the delight of fans who had been perplexed at his lack of game time.
Prior to the 3-1 victory last time out, the 23-year-old had only featured for a grand total of 14 minutes in the Premier League, but the stats below highlight his readiness to be thrown into action more regularly.
Jakub Kiwior's game by numbers vs Chelsea:
71 touches
53 passes completed
7x possession won
4 clearances
3 interceptions
2 duels won
1 tackle madeStepped up. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/2kCiCn7fKl
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) May 2, 2023
A monumental task awaits Arsenal on Sunday as they make the long trip north to face soon-to-be Champions League side Newcastle. The Gunners last tasted victory on the road in mid-March – a run of three consecutive games without a win away from home.
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