Arsenal are getting ready to receive a defensive boost in the coming weeks. This is because Rob Holding is not only back in first-team training but he has played another 90 minutes for the U23 side. Joining him in the 2-1 win over Leicester City was Dinos Mavropanos, who is also recovering from injury.
Arsenal Injury Update: Holding, Mavropanos Closing in on Returns
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With Arsenal looking as defensively clueless as ever, fan focus is on the injured defenders. Sokratis Papastathopoulos and David Luiz have thus far this season combined to allow six goals in three games.
Calum Chambers is also fit, however, Unai Emery seems to prefer the more experienced defenders at the moment. Before his injury, Holding was first-choice at the position and his imminent return can only be a good thing.
He will need a few weeks to settle in again with the first team so don’t expect to see him starting Premier League matches right away. However, his second full match with the U23s means a return in some capacity is practically around the corner.
Another 90 minutes for @RobHolding95! ?
Rob played the entirety of @ArsenalAcademy‘s #PL2 fixture at Emirates Stadium today – with #AFCU23 winning 2-1 against Leicester City pic.twitter.com/v9zF8B1kb1
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 14, 2019
Dinos Mavropanos’ eventual return from injury is a bit less exciting but at the same time will allow Emery more options for rotation with the upcoming League Cup and Europa League group stage.
Neither Hector Bellerin nor Kieran Tierney have been able to play with the U23 team as of yet. The club has confirmed via their official website that both should return to first-team training before the end of the month.
Alexandre Lacazette Injury Confirmation
After Unai Emery’s bizarre decision to bring on Lacazette so late on at Anfield, many speculated that the striker may have been injured. Otherwise, leaving that substitution so late would not have made much sense.
Ahead of the clash with Watford, Arsenal have confirmed that the Frenchman has been dealing with an ankle issue for a few weeks now. The decision, therefore, is to allow Lacazette to rest and rehabilitate his ankle for several weeks.
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