Arsenal hit with fresh injury headache as Leandro Trossard limps off during Belgium’s Nations League defeat

Arsenal have been handed a fresh injury concern as Leandro Trossard was forced off during Belgium’s loss against Israel in the Nations League.

Mikel Arteta is already facing an injury headache with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both withdrawing from England’s most recent Nations League squad.

The Gunner’s injury headache worsened as Torssard was substituted just 37 minutes into the game.

That marks another tough international break for the north London side who lost Riccardo Calafiori and Martin Odegaard during the September international break.

Fast forward to the October international break where they saw injuries to wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

Leandro Trossard was forced off after just 37 minutes against Israel

Bukayo Saka, who suffered an injury on England duty in October, was unable to finish Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea

Declan Rice played through a broken toe against Chelsea

And now in November the gunners have seen Leandro Trossard hauled off and Ben White set to miss time, though the latter was not selected by England.

Speaking after Belgium’s loss, Domenico Tedesco confirmed the Arsenal winger was taken off due to injury, ‘It was a difficult game for a number of reasons.

‘The players we brought out had never played or trained together.

‘There were a lot of injuries before the game and we also lost Trossard and [Zeno] Debast during the game. It wasn’t a good game, but the conditions were very difficult.’ 

Trossard now looks set to join an injury list that includes Riccardo Calafiori, who has not featured since Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in October.

As for White, the England full-back is set to miss up to eight weeks after he underwent surgery to help deal with a long-term knee issue.

Riccardo Calafiori suffered an injury after an awkward fall against Shakhtar Donetsk

Ben White underwent knee surgery and will miss up to eight weeks

Mikel Arteta is also without long-term absentee Takehiro Tomiyasu who has featured just once in the league so far this season.

It is unclear whether Declan Rice will return to the Arsenal line-up following the international break, the midfielder taking painkillers to deal with a broken toe so he could face Chelsea.

And if Arsenal are to be without Saka, then the injury to Trossard would be even more significant, leaving the gunners with just Raheem Sterling and Martinelli as their senior wingers.

It has been a mixed start to the season for the Gunners who have been hampered by injuries and red cards alike.

Arteta’s side have received three red cards so far with Rice and Trossard sent off in draws against Brighton and Manchester City respectively.

William Saliba was given his marching orders against Bournemouth as the Gunners suffered a 2-0 defeat at the Vitality stadium.

That has left them fourth in the league, nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool who have lost just once this season under new boss Arne Slot.

And with injury issues seemingly deepending, Mikel Arteta will need to get his side moving in the right direction sooner rather than later if they are to sustain a title challenge.