Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag sent Arsenal a bizarre dig regarding injuries on Wednesday ahead of his side's Europa League round of 16 clash against Real Betis
Speaking ahead of United's clash against Betis, Ten Hag said: "Only in one game could I say, ok I can pick my team, also from a tactical approach, that was perfect - that was against Man City at home.
"And that was the only time in this season. In other times, in every game, it was one player suspended, one player is injured or [has] illness.
"So we have to deal with it well but of course you hope. I see with Arsenal, that they almost have all the time their squad available."
Partey has been a pivotal player for Arteta. His absence from the squad through injury has seen him miss a total of six games in the Premier League, with two of the Gunners' three defeats this season coming when he has not featured.
Ten Hag's comments are even more puzzling when you consider the fact that Gabriel Jesus - who was a marquee signing in the summer transfer window from Manchester City - has missed a total of 15 games for Arsenal this season following a knee injury he sustained during the World Cup. Jesus was seen as a revelation in attack for the Gunners this season and his injury threatened to derail their Premier League title challenge, but Arteta found a way to maintain the five-point lead at the top of the table.
Emile Smith Rowe is another player who was influential for Arteta last season and has missed the majority of the 2022/23 campaign. The Hale End graduate has been absent from the squad for 15 Premier League games this season but, again, the Gunners found a solution by signing Leandro Trossard in January, along with Jorginho and Jakub Kiwior to offer more squad depth and cover in key areas.
Jesus has returned just as Eddie Nketiah is now facing a lengthy injury lay-off. Mohamed Elneny, who was seen as the main back-up for Partey before Jorginho's signing, has missed a huge amount of the season through injury.
This is not about Arsenal being fortunate that Nketiah was able to enjoy strong form during Jesus' injury or players being sidelined for short periods of time. The Gunners have had to deal with their fair share of serious injury woes, but Arteta and the players have still found a way to perform at the highest level and remain top of the table.
Ten Hag's comments come off as jealous and misinformed because it's clear for all to see that despite their amazing performances this season - Arsenal have still overcome major obstacles and deserve to be where they are in the Premier League and Europa League. The United boss has completely undermined his own comments by starting Bruno Fernandes in the second leg against Betis when the tie is virtually over already.
Ten Hag is risking losing another key player through injury, further hampering United's season, as they still fight for a top-four place in the Premier League and aim to reach the Europa League final. It's a similar situation with the likes of Casemiro and Marcus Rashford.
Why risk them when you have a perfect opportunity to give key players a rest in a congested fixture schedule? Arteta has been able to manage his squad brilliantly despite setbacks and Arsenal deserve to be where they are in the Premier League and Europa League.
Arsenal line-ups vs Sporting CP as Gabriel Jesus starts, Turner dropped amid Smith Roweโs chance
Musmekit
0
Eric: Arsenal had fewer injuries Arsenal fans: he's lying, we had alot of injuries! I just dont get what Arsenal fans are arguing about or the purpose of the article, is it bad if you had fewer injuries, does it take away from what you guys are doing!? Question: If you won the league with no injuries, would be less relevant if you had alot of injuries!? Please @autty explain! btw, you now have 2 fresh injuries, you got what you asked for. ๐คท๐ฟโโ๏ธ
wemdkopt
1
Arsenal it will end in tears
Musmekit
0
The writer is an Arsenal fan. Why make it soooo big out of a mere talk? He just stated, if you knew, that's ok. Don't make noise here.
facts!!!! @Autty people know you're a dunce and u support a small club!
Musmekit
0
"quarrels with his tools" journalist and the followers are the same๐ญ
Musmekit
0
@autty! jealous๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐... Wrong Misinformed...Wrong again Arsenal has the fewest change to their starting 11 in the PL! And you're a journalist ๐ญ๐ญ Didnt even do your homework!๐คฆ๐พโโ๏ธ Dunce bat Autty!
nutmegprince
0
Let Rashford get injured for 3 months and we'd see how united would survive
waddiortuy
0
Well I don't see these ETH comments as a dig at Arsenal but more of name dropping in a conversation, which in itself is an indirect complement. Arsenal have done well this season up to now not because of lack of injuries. They have had a fair share of injuries to key players but have managed to maintain their performance or at least get results up to now. That's what ETH is indirectly complementing but he doesn't know why they have done so well up to now, so he assumes Arsenal always have their players available. In a way he is demonstrating that he cannot tell the difference between Jesus or Nketiah, Partey or Jorginho, Tomiyasu or Ben White, Tierney or Zinchencho, he is unable to tell when Arsenal is missing any of their players.
Finally someone with good footballing knowledge ๐ซก
waddiortuy
0
Well I don't see these ETH comments as a dig at Arsenal but more of name dropping in a conversation, which in itself is an indirect complement. Arsenal have done well this season up to now not because of lack of injuries. They have had a fair share of injuries to key players but have managed to maintain their performance or at least get results up to now. That's what ETH is indirectly complementing but he doesn't know why they have done so well up to now, so he assumes Arsenal always have their players available. In a way he is demonstrating that he cannot tell the difference between Jesus or Nketiah, Partey or Jorginho, Tomiyasu or Ben White, Tierney or Zinchencho, he is unable to tell when Arsenal is missing any of their players.
Yup
waddiortuy
0
Finally someone with good footballing knowledge ๐ซก
Booacdlt
0
Is Arsenal still in the UEL somebody help?
FootballArtista
0
When coaches and pundits can't talk without mentioning our team, it means Arsenal are doing great things and ppl are taking notice. Most talked about team in the league
Piuaciloyz
1
Oww Erik 7 Haag, wanna get something off your chest?
iceyez
1
That bald head should worry about Man U only not bother about Gunners
Don't let the media influence your brainless head
Jiwackuz
1
Ten Hag boasted when Man U met Arsenal at the Emirate that he has beaten Arsenal before without Casmiro. At the 3nd if that game, he was the one complaining of key 0layers absence. The man should mind his own business and stop complaining about other teams. The value of the total Man United squad is almost twice the value of Arsenal squad, yet see where both teams are. A bad workman they say quarrels with his tools.
Boabkpru
6
Well I don't see these ETH comments as a dig at Arsenal but more of name dropping in a conversation, which in itself is an indirect complement. Arsenal have done well this season up to now not because of lack of injuries. They have had a fair share of injuries to key players but have managed to maintain their performance or at least get results up to now. That's what ETH is indirectly complementing but he doesn't know why they have done so well up to now, so he assumes Arsenal always have their players available. In a way he is demonstrating that he cannot tell the difference between Jesus or Nketiah, Partey or Jorginho, Tomiyasu or Ben White, Tierney or Zinchencho, he is unable to tell when Arsenal is missing any of their players.
Mukckmotuy
1
How can a man who was thrown 7times inside a Pool still be speaking
Madcap_237
0
The writer is an Arsenal fan. Why make it soooo big out of a mere talk? He just stated, if you knew, that's ok. Don't make noise here.
It's not the first time he's tlking bogus abt Other clubs. He shld be more truthful
Natanya_Barrett
0
The writer is an Arsenal fan. Why make it soooo big out of a mere talk? He just stated, if you knew, that's ok. Don't make noise here.
he's the one making noise with his irrational claims, we've been without so many of our key players this season and still Arteta didn't mourn or make a comment on other teams, your manager should learn to keep quiet and stay humble
chiday
2
We all know ten hag is a bitter arrogant bald man that will still fail in the next two season before sack
FootballRealist
4
This article just jumped on another articles band wagon and made it longer than it should about nothing.. real Arsenal & Man U fans know this article is just trying to stir something into nothing.. can you stop hating on ETH
Fepbcilnoz
1
That wasnโt even a dig, just an observation
Itโs wrong because what he said is not accurate!
Fepbcilnoz
1
The writer is an Arsenal fan. Why make it soooo big out of a mere talk? He just stated, if you knew, that's ok. Don't make noise here.
A manager should not say nonsense with no accurate info. Simple rule: talk about your team only.
Fandeklmou
1
That wasnโt even a dig, just an observation
You sound like a United fan. What an observation for a management of his caliber. He should fact check before talking. So he mean throughout the season he has been able to only apply his kind of football once. We wait when he start playing his kind of football because now I think what he does is damage control because he has nothing to loose and not under pressure. When he starts playing the Ajax football then he will realize he is in a different world and learn to respect other managers
PeepsClips
3
seeing things through bald heads than through the eyes. ETH is now back to earth. ๐๐
Hasacikprt
2
The writer is an Arsenal fan. Why make it soooo big out of a mere talk? He just stated, if you knew, that's ok. Don't make noise here.
OlawaleArogundade
1
How about Nelson, Tomiyasu, Ole, in addition to those mentioned already. He surly for his facts wrong.
pozdinrt
5
That bald head should worry about Man U only not bother about Gunners
BlackDevil
1
That wasnโt even a dig, just an observation