Arsenal Navigate Injuries Ahead of High-Stakes Clash With Club Brugge
So, there’s a lot happening ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League trip to Belgium, and the buildup has been anything but quiet. This match against Club Brugge is coming at a delicate moment for the Gunners, with injuries piling up and some last-minute fitness worries forcing Mikel Arteta into a bit of a reshuffle. But at the same time, there’s also a glimmer of good news that’s giving fans a genuine lift.
One of the biggest talking points right now is the return of Gabriel Jesus. He hasn’t played since January due to a serious knee injury, but he has recovered quicker than expected and has now been added back into the Champions League squad. Even Arteta admitted that the original plan was for Jesus to train again only at the end of December, but the Brazilian pushed hard every single day. His determination paid off, and thanks to his effort and the medical team’s work, he has made the trip to Belgium. He’s expected to start on the bench, having already built some match fitness with Arsenal’s Under-21s.
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But while Jesus’ return is a boost, the list of absentees is still worryingly long. Arsenal are without seven players for this fixture. Declan Rice is ill, Leandro Trossard has aggravated a calf issue, and Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel, Kai Havertz, and William Saliba remain sidelined. To make matters worse, young Max Dowman, who recently stepped up impressively, is now out for weeks after an ankle injury. Arteta even hinted that Riccardo Calafiori’s minutes are being carefully managed, which could lead to him being rested.
All this means the predicted lineup looks quite different from Arsenal’s usual setup. Players like Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, and Christian Norgaard could get rare Champions League starts, while Viktor Gyokeres may finally be handed a place in the starting XI after three consecutive appearances from the bench. Bukayo Saka might be rested as well, opening a chance for Noni Madueke to feature on the wing.
On the other side, Club Brugge come into this with their own turbulence. They have just sacked their manager, Nicky Hayen, and their Champions League campaign is hanging by a thread. They’ve lost three of their last four league games, but they have been surprisingly strong at home in Europe, scoring seven goals in two games, including a 4–1 win over Monaco and a wild 3–3 draw with Barcelona. This will be the first-ever meeting between Arsenal and Brugge, and despite their struggles, the Belgian side have dangerous players like Carlos Forbs and captain Hans Vanaken who can easily influence the game.
So, Arsenal head into this match with a perfect Champions League record so far, a squad stretched thin, and a golden chance to secure a spot in the last 16. It’s one of those nights where resilience, rotation, and a bit of composure could make all the difference.
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