Arteta feels growing frustration over mounting list of absentees

MIKEL ARTETA is concerned by Arsenal’s dwindling options as he prepares for Thursday’s Europa League trip to Molde.

The Gunners manager’s problems mounted during Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Leeds when injuries to Willian and Bukayo Saka were compounded by Nicolas Pepe’s lack of discipline.

Willian suffered a muscular problem, while England teenager Saka (pictured) seemed to hurt his knee following a late challenge.

Mohamed Elneny and Sead Kolasinac were unavailable after testing positive for Covid-19 on international duty while Thomas Partey (thigh), Pablo Mari (ankle) and Gabriel Martinelli (knee) were also sidelined. Arteta’s mood was not helped by Pepe’s needless red card and three-game ban for appearing to headbutt Ezgjan Alioski.

‘I’m cross because I want to win and when I don’t win, I get upset,’ he said. ‘We lost two players on international duty.

‘We have now lost two players to injury and one through suspension and we have an incredible amount of games coming up. Every team is going to face challenges with the amount of fixtures we have.’