Arsenal fans have been faced with uncertainty over the fitness of several key players, but ahead of today’s Champions League clash against Monaco, Mikel Arteta provided clarity on the club’s recent injury setbacks.

Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes, both substituted in the 5-2 win over West Ham, are struggling with groin and muscle injuries respectively. Meanwhile, teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, an option at left-back, is out with a foot infection, “although things are looking better now”.

On Calafiori, Arteta said: “We need a cage there because he wants to go out, train and play.” We have to calm him down because he is so willing.

“It’s the way he is, the way he plays. With the national team it started with a kick, then he developed knee problems. After that, he lost a lot of things. Because of the injuries he had to play more than we wanted. And then he got the groin problem.”

Regarding Gabriel, he revealed: “Big Gabi hasn’t had a muscle injury (so far), but he’s playing a lot now, he travels, goes to Brazil, he’s a regular player for Brazil.”

Back in November, Arteta described the Gunners’ ongoing fitness problems as a “nightmare” and hoped the situation would improve. They did that for a few weeks, but the recent setback is weighing on the team.

“If one or two players are unavailable, it means the load and minutes are higher for others,” he explained.

“It’s not a good change because the consequences and the burden on all players become too high, much higher than what you want to do, but that’s where we are.”

As for his medical team’s efforts, he said no stone was left unturned to find out why so many players are struggling.

“We’ll do everything, believe me,” emphasized the Spaniard. “Trying to scratch the surface to understand if there’s something we can do differently, what we can do better, that’s the first thing you have to do when you analyze something.”

“But also a lot of the things they do in the department, they do very well and they continue to do very well, because in the end we are all responsible, we want to look after the players and we have to manage the load.” Players, which has been difficult at times this season, especially in certain positions.”

With Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu already out with knee injuries, there are further concerns over Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber, who all missed training yesterday.

Although Arteta did not reveal exact details about their health, their absence is less surprising given the trio’s injury history – including calf, thigh and knee problems.

Arteta hinted that Kieran Tierney’s problems could open the door to his first Arsenal game since his substitute appearance in the Community Shield last season.

The 27-year-old spent the 23/24 season on loan at Real Sociedad, where he played 26 games. He was expected to leave the Emirates before a serious hamstring injury sustained at the European Championships with Scotland forced him back into the treatment room.

Fit again, there is curiosity about how Arteta might reintegrate a player who didn’t fit the mold as the left-back role moved away from the player’s strengths.

If one or two players are unavailable, that means the load and minutes are higher for someone else. This is not a good change because the consequences and burden on all players become too high, much higher than what you want to do, but that’s exactly where we are.

“I would put Kieran more on his strengths,” said Arteta. “If we do what we have to do, I would play him in positions, particularly in attack, in situations, scenarios and spaces where he is more comfortable. This is a learning.

“It’s about the player having certain qualities. First, is he willing to do it? Does he want it, yes or no? The other question: Is he capable of it and does he understand it?

“If a player has these three ingredients, anything can happen. We see this with many other players. But if a player doesn’t really fulfill that, that’s a bigger problem and we as coaches have to find solutions.”

With three weeks to go before the transfer window opens, Tierney could be eyeing a potential loan move. Arteta says January could also provide opportunities to strengthen his squad if injuries continue to cause him headaches.

“The window gives us the opportunity to strengthen the team if we feel it is necessary and we feel we have the ability to do so,” he said.

“It’s our turn and we just have to assess the situation because it changes every week. Not for the better at the moment, but I’m confident we’ll be better in a few weeks.”