Mikel Arteta addresses Arsenal injury concerns after making six changes for Sporting CP stalemate

Mikel Arteta has been discussing his side’s fitness amid significant changes for Thursday night’s Europa League draw with Sporting CP.

The Gunners played out an entertaining draw in Lisbon in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie. William Saliba put Arsenal ahead, but Sporting rallied back to take the lead following goals from Goncalo Inacio and Paulinha. An own goal from Hidemasa Morita ultimately levelled the score, and the two sides will go at it again in the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next Thursday.

In the meantime, Arsenal have another Premier League outing to take care off, facing Fulham on Sunday as they look to protect their lead at the top of the Premier League. And ahead of that clash, concern has been raised over the fitness of a number of Gunners stars, given Arteta made as many as six changes to his starting line-up for the clash in Lisbon.

Arteta has explained the changes, but he kept the reasoning vague for now, saying: “We made six changes because we have a lot of issues in the last few days, with players missing - and some are not even here.”

Asked why Gabriel Magalhaes and Thomas Partey started on the bench, the Spaniard added: “At this club, you have to play every 3 days. You have to be fit and available to do it. If not, it’s not worth it.”

As we head towards the business end of the title race and the last 10 games of the Premier League season, Arsenal fans have been praying for good news on striker Gabriel Jesus, who has been absent since the World Cup through injury. But for now, the Gunners are playing it safe.

Asked about the Brazilian recently, Arteta said: “We will try not to rush him back. Everything is going well, he needs time to get his confidence and physical state to compete.”