Image source: football.london
Arsenal face Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday following their 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, with the Belgian side potentially missing up to nine players through injury and illness. The Gunners remain the only unbeaten team in the Champions League this season and currently sit top of the table.
Arsenal Travel to Injury-Ravaged Club Brugge Seeking Champions League Recovery
Club Brugge are grappling with an injury epidemic that could sideline up to nine players for Wednesday’s clash at Jan Breydel Stadium. Nicky Hayen’s team is languishing at 26th in the Champions League table, having secured just one victory in their five outings so far. Their domestic performance mirrors their European struggles, with three losses in their last four matches across all competitions.
The club’s casualty list includes both first-choice goalkeepers, Nordin Jackers and former Liverpool man Simon Mignolet, paving the way for Dani van den Heuvel to continue his stint in goal. Long-term injuries have also ruled out Ludovit Reis, Lynnt Audoor and Zaid Romero for the visit of Arsenal.
Adding to their troubles, Jorne Spileers and Mamadou Diakhon are likely to miss the Arsenal match due to illness. Romeo Vermant is undergoing concussion protocols, while Kyriani Sabbe is battling a groin issue. Despite their challenges, Club Brugge cannot be underestimated, as evidenced by their 3-3 draw against Barcelona at Jan Breydel Stadium last month.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has opted not to exploit a new UEFA rule that would allow him to replace injured summer recruit Cristhian Mosquera in their Champions League squad. Mosquera is sidelined with an ankle issue that could keep him out for up to eight weeks, but Arteta will keep him as one of his choices hoping he recovers in time for Arsenal’s final first-round matches.
Gabriel Jesus, who suffered an ACL injury in January and has yet to make an appearance this season, was linked with potentially replacing Mosquera in the squad. However, this week marks Arteta’s last chance to take advantage of the new UEFA rule, which will no longer be applicable after Matchday 6, and all indications suggest the deadline will pass without any changes from the Arsenal manager.
