After letting go so many of their squad players in January, Arsenal were always taking a risk. Pablo Mari, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Folarin Balogun, Sead Kolasinac, Calum Chambers and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were all allowed to leave north London in one way or another leaving the depth at the Emirates thread bare.
With long-term injuries to Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu, the Gunners have now been left short for crucial games as they seek to qualify for next season's Champions League. Ahead of Saturday's defeat to Southampton, Mikel Arteta was willing to admit that his group were a little short.
"Yes, in the moment it’s not ideal," the Spaniard said. "We knew that towards the end of the season one of the key elements was going to be having the team available and squad available as much as possible, and we have quite a few issues with him and Tomiyasu as well, but we need to continue to compete and work in the best possible way." But as one door closes for some players, another one opens for others.
