Mikel Arteta revealed he had little option but to substitute the returning Leandro Trossard during Arsenal’s 2-1 Premier League defeat against Aston Villa.
The Gunners trailed 1-0 at the break following Matty Cash’s fine opening goal but the league leaders produced a rousing response after making a double change at the break.
Trossard had missed the last two games after suffering a calf injury during the recent Champions League win over Bayern Munich but was fit enough to take his place on the bench at Villa Park.
The Belgium international marked his return to action with the equaliser after replacing Eberechi Eze at the interval but he failed to finish the game and was taken off in the 86th minute.
Despite boasting a formidable squad, the injuries are mounting up for Arteta and it appears one of his most in-form players could be set for another spell on the sidelines.
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‘He was really good,’ said Arteta. ‘We knew he is another player coming back from injury and he started to feel it again so we had to take him off.’
While Arsenal will retain the leadership of the table, regardless of results elsewhere this weekend, three away games without victory represents cause for concern.
Arteta’s men are back in action in Europe in midweek before they face struggling Wolves at home next weekend and the Arsenal boss is demanding a response.
‘The level of consistency the boys have shown in this period is incredible so I only have thoughts to think we can do it again,’ he said.
‘Very painful, especially after all the effort in the match. It was an open game, congratulations to Villa they are a really good side.
‘We conceded a big chance in the first half with Ollie Watkins’ goal. We had some dominance in the second half and I had the feeling we were going to win the game.
‘So to lose it in the manner we did is painful. Eighteen games unbeaten, you lose a game and that’s what it is, this is football.
‘It is what it is. We had a big chance when Declan [Rice] put the ball across for Noni [Madueke], they win a throw-in at the other end and get the goal – that’s football and the quality of this league.’