After Dowman: Arteta says another Arsenal winger is unavailable vs Club Brugge due to "knock"

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a fresh injury update on Leandro Trossard ahead of the Champions League clash against Club Brugge tonight.

The Gunners suffered a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday. Emiliano Buendia scored the winner for Unai Emery’s side with the last kick of the game.

Arsenal will be aiming to return to winning ways at Brugge. Prior to the encounter, Arteta confirmed that Trossard won’t be involved after picking up ‘another knock’ to his calf last weekend.

The Belgian returned from injury during the second half at Villa Park. He made an instant impact with a goal, but had to be substituted in the 86th minute as he was ‘feeling‘ his calf again.

Speaking in his pre-match presser yesterday, Arteta said: “Leo again picked another knock in an area where he had the issue, and I don’t expect that it’s going to be long, but unfortunately, he cannot be here.”

Trossard is the second winger sidelined for the trip to Belgium. Earlier on Tuesday, Arsenal confirmed Gabriel Jesus’ registration for the league phase of the Champions League after Max Dowman picked up an ankle injury while playing for the Arsenal Under-21s on Saturday.

Alongside the duo, the Gunners are without midfielder Declan Rice due to illness, while William Saliba remains sidelined with a minor injury. Gabriel Magalhaes (thigh) and Cristian Mosquera (ankle) are ruled out for the remainder of the year. Kai Havertz (knee) could make his comeback this month.

Despite the vast number of absentees, Arsenal are still favourites to beat Brugge. The Belgian outfit have picked up only four points from five games in the league phase of the Champions League.

Arsenal are currently top of the standings with 15 points and have the opportunity to strengthen their hold on first place with a victory over Brugge. We expect Arteta to make several changes.

Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke could feature in the frontline. Gyokeres scored twice in his last European outing against Atletico, while Madueke was on the scoresheet versus Bayern.

Martinelli has been a revelation in the competition, scoring in his last four appearances. The Brazilian star has five goal involvements in Europe this term and has the chance to extend the run tonight.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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