The lack of depth in the Arsenal team throughout January was caused by a number of factors both out of the club’s control and self-inflicted.
Arsenal lost Mohamed Elneny, Thomas Partey and Nicolas Pepe to the African Cup of Nations, Granit Xhaka was out with Covid prior to earning a suspension and Partey soon followed with a red card of his own against Liverpool. Ainsley Maitland-Niles was also prematurely sent out on loan.
This culminated in a winless month, two cup eliminations and a drab 0-0 home league draw with Burnley. Xhaka and Partey’s absence was felt but the lack of options from the bench, or so it seemed, hamstrung Mikel Arteta’s choice.
