Eight players could miss Club Brugge vs Arsenal as injury problems continue

Arsenal take on Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, with the Gunners looking to maintain their 100% record in the competition

Arsenal’s demanding December schedule continues this week with the Gunners facing Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday evening. The Gunners are currently the only team maintaining a perfect record in the competition, having triumphed in all five of their fixtures.

Athletic Club, Olympiacos, Atletico Madrid, Slavia Prague and Bayern Munich have all been defeated this season, with Mikel Arteta’s side on track to secure their place in the next round. Brugge have overcome AS Monaco and shared a 3-3 draw with Barcelona at home, though they currently sit two points adrift of the play-off positions.

The Gunners head to Belgium facing several selection dilemmas – especially in defence. They remained without William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes against Aston Villa on Saturday.

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There had been optimism that Saliba might feature at Villa Park after Arteta twice stated the centre-back was “days” away. The same was mentioned about Leandro Trossard, and the forward came off the bench to find the net against Villa.

Gabriel has been sidelined since the international break after sustaining an adductor injury whilst representing Brazil in a friendly against Senegal. The 27-year-old remains unavailable, with Arteta confirming it’s a matter of weeks, reports Football London.

Arsenal’s defensive concerns were heightened when Christian Mosquera was withdrawn during the win over Brentford last week. The summer recruit’s absence meant Arteta was compelled to deploy Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie at centre-back for the first time at Villa.

Mosquera is reportedly set to be sidelined for six to eight weeks due to an ankle injury. With Kai Havertz also out of action, Arsenal will be missing four key players for their upcoming match against Bruges, a predicament mirrored by their Belgian opponents.

“He’s going to be out for weeks unfortunately, it’s much more than what we expected,” Arteta said on Mosquera. “But the player was feeling it, so he’s going to be out for weeks.”

On Havertz, he said: “Matter of weeks; let’s see how it evolves in the next few weeks. He’s doing really well, he’s doing stuff on the pitch, but I think he needs some time.

“He was doing everything. He could not go to the next level and now it’s looking like we have unlocked that. We’re all desperate to have him. It’s a player that personally, I love so much for what he brings to the team. His character, his personality, I see him suffer, being outside.

“His playing record is phenomenal. He’s always been available, and I can’t wait to have him back around the team playing now because I think it’s going to be a massive boost for the team.”

Brugge, under the management of Nicky Hayen, are currently struggling with form, having secured only two victories in their last seven matches. Their recent 3-2 defeat to St. Truiden marked their fifth loss of the league season, causing them to lose ground at the top of the table.

The Belgian side could potentially be without Ludovit Reis and Lynnt Audoor for the clash, while Nordin Jackers and Zaid Abner Romero are confirmed absentees.

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