Jurrien Timber is the latest Arsenal defender to be struck down by injury.
Timber was left out of the Gunners squad for their Champions League clash against Club Brugge on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta has explained how Timber, and fellow defender Riccardo Calafiori, suffered “bad kicks” at Aston Villa last weekend.
Calafiori was, at least, fit enough to make the bench in Belgium, although Myles Lewis-Skelly had to start ahead of him as Arsenal are managing his minutes.
“They (Calafiori and Timber) both had issues at the weekend, two really bad kicks and for Jurrien, it was too early,” said Arteta.
“For Ricky we have to manage it and see if he can do some minutes [tonight].”
Timber is the latest Arsenal defender to be hit by injury, with Cristhian Mosquera, Gabriel and William Saliba already on the sidelines.
Gabriel (thigh) and Mosquera (ankle) are still weeks away from returning, but there is optimism Saliba could be back for Saturday’s home game against Wolves.
Arsenal’s lack of defensive options forced Arteta to start with midfielder Christian Norgaard at centre-back against Club Brugge.
The Spaniard’s training methods have been called into question due to Arsenal’s fitness issues, but Arteta has dismissed he is overworking players.
“We don’t train,” he said. “Today we have done 20 minutes, so surely it is not because we overtrain the players?
“We don’t have time to train, but the fact that you are missing players, you are loading other players more.
“That is a consequence to that and it is really a dangerous circle that one. It is a test for the team and, so far, we have reacted very well to that.”
