'That’s a starting line-up!' - Mikel Arteta left 'very shocked' by extent of Arsenal's injury crisis as Gunners boss admits he 'felt joy' after realisation ahead of PSG showdown

Arsenal have had their misfortunes with injuries, as several first-team players continue to remain sidelined even at the business end of the campaign. However, despite the adversity, Arteta has taken a measured and positive stance, choosing not to dwell on the negatives but instead embracing the opportunity to adapt and overcome.

In an honest reflection before Saturday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth, Arteta recalled a moment that crystallised the extent of the Gunners’ injury woes.

"I was very shocked just before the game against PSG at home because I was walking into the dressing room and suddenly I saw all of them sitting together," he told reporters. "It was [Takehiro] Tomiyasu, next to him [Riccaardo] Calafiori, next to him Gabriel, next to him Thomas Partey, next to him Kai Havertz, next to him Gabriel Jesus, next to him Jorginho. I said, that’s a starting line-up. And we don't have them."

Arteta admitted the sight initially startled him. But what followed was a wave of pride. Emerging talents like Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri have stepped up to offer valuable support, while other squad members such as Jakub Kiwior and Mikel Merino have made meaningful contributions when called upon. The Spaniard credited the entire Arsenal setup - from players to backroom staff - for maintaining belief and continuing to push forward without dwelling on setbacks.

"We haven't had them for many, many months. And then I felt joy about the team and what they are doing and how they're trying and nobody's talking about it in the building at all," he said. "But it's happening and I felt pride about how the boys and the staff and the club are reacting to these situations."

While Arteta remains focused on the tasks ahead, he conceded that the campaign could have looked very different had Arsenal been able to field their best line-up more consistently.

“Two main things. Play with 11 players, number one, 38 games if possible," he said. “And the second one is to have availability of your best players in the best position and win your games, ideally, for 38 games in the league. If you have those two things, you have a much better chance. Without those two, look at the history over the last 100 years, not one single team has done it.”

Arsenal are set to face Bournemouth this weekend in a Premier League fixture. But looming large is Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg against PSG, where the Gunners will need to overturn a narrow 1-0 deficit.