Mikel Arteta might not have ten first-team stars for the next EFL match.

It sounds like Mikel Arteta thinks Arsenal might have a big fitness problem before their EFL Cup game against Bolton tomorrow, September 25.

The Emirates team is back in action just three days after John Stones scored a dramatic last-second goal that kept the Gunners from winning. In the end, the two title-chasing teams tied 2-2.

After the end of the game, the Gunners’ opponents from the weekend were not happy with them. The Sky Blues said that the guests had wasted time.

When David Raya, Gabriel Martinelli, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber all went down with what looked like injuries, Arteta used the time to talk to his team.

Pep Guardiola’s team thought this was a trick, but Arteta has since said that these were real injury worries and gave a vague news update, saying that “a few players” will not be able to play in the upcoming game against Bolton in League One.

Goalkeeper Raya was seen leaving the Etihad on Sunday with a limp and a wrap on his right knee, so it looks like he might not be able to play. Neto, the back-up custodian, is cup-tied after playing for AFC Bournemouth before his deadline-day move to London, and Tommy Setford is hurt, so Arteta might have to use 16-year-old Jack Porter if Neto can’t play.

The player was asked who might start on Wednesday night, and Arteta replied, “Tomorrow you will find out.” As soon as I set up the queue.

When asked if anyone seriously hurt during the game against City, he said, “We have to wait on one of them.”

Both Timber and Calafiori were taken off against City, but Timber went to an interview after the game and gave a good report on his possible availability. The Dutch defender told the press, “That’s great. It’s been a long time since I’ve played so many games, especially in seven days.”

As things stand, Timber, Calafiori, and Raya could end up in the hospital room with players like Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, and Kieran Tierney. Leandro Trossard will also not be there because he was suspended. 

In response to Haaland, Arteta

After Manchester City scored a late goal against Arsenal on Sunday, Arteta went to shake hands with his opponent. However, City star Erling Haaland made a strange comment, which seemed to tell the Gunners head coach to “Stay humble.”

At the press meeting before the game, Arteta was asked about what happened. He told the reporters, “It’s part of football, part of sport.” All of that is over after the game, and we move on. “That’s it.”