'We have to wait' - Mikel Arteta offers cryptic injury message ahead of EFL Cup clash vs Bolton

Mikel Arteta has suggested that Arsenal may have a significant injury blow ahead of their upcoming EFL Cup match against Bolton tomorrow, Wednesday 25 September.

The Emirates side are back in action just three days after a last-gasp goal from John Stones  denied the Gunners a win in dramatic fashion, with the two title-contending clubs ultimately drawing 2-2.

Following the full-time whistle, the Gunners faced some criticism from their weekend opponents with the Sky Blues suggesting their visitors had used time-wasting tactics.

David Raya, Gabriel Martinelli, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber all went down with apparent injuries, which saw Arteta using the time as an opportunity to pass on messages to his team.

While Pep Guardiola’s side believed this to be a ploy, Arteta has since suggested that these were legitimate injury concerns and offered a cryptic news update, indicating that ‘a few players’ are now unavailable for the upcoming clash against League One’s Bolton.

Goalkeeper Raya looks like he could be out, after he was filmed limping and wearing a bandage on his right knee when leaving the Etihad on Sunday. With back-up keeper Neto cup-tied after competing for AFC Bournemouth before his deadline day move to London, and Tommy Setford injured, Arteta may be forced to call upon 16-year-old Jack Porter if the Spanish stopper is unable to play.

When asked about who could be set to make the starting XI on Wednesday night, Arteta said: “Tomorrow you will find out. As soon as I give the line up.”

Pressed on whether any serious injuries were picked up against City, he added: “We have to wait [on] one of them.”

Timber and Calafiori were both forced off against City, although Timber appeared for a  post-match interview and offered a positive update on his potential availability. Speaking to the press, the Dutch defender said: “It's been a long time since I've played so many games, especially in seven days, so that's really good.”

As things stand, Timber, Calafiori and Raya could well join the likes of of Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White and Kieran Tierney in the medical room. Leandro Trossard will also be absent due to suspension. 

Arteta responds to Haaland

Following Manchester City’s late equaliser against Arsenal on Sunday, Arteta took to the field to shake the hands of his opponent, only to be met by a surprising comment from City star Erling Haaland who appeared to tell the Gunners head coach to ‘Stay humble’.

When asked about the incident in his pre-match press conference, Arteta said he had no issue with what was said, telling reporters: “It’s part of football, part of sport. After the game, all that goes away and we move on. That’s it.”