HUGE BOOST : Arsenal handed huge injury boost ahead of West Ham clash

Arsenal have received an early boost ahead of their Premier League clash with West Ham after Graham Potter confirmed injury blow

Arsenal have been handed a significant injury boost ahead of their crucial London derby against West Ham on Saturday, as Hammers midfielder Lucas Paquetá has been ruled out due to an ankle injury sustained in training.

The Gunners, who secured a 2-0 victory over Leicester City last weekend, continue to navigate an attacking injury crisis, with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, and Kai Havertz all sidelined. Jesus and Havertz have been ruled out for the rest of the season following surgeries, forcing Mikel Arteta to deploy midfielder Mikel Merino as a makeshift striker against Leicester—a gamble that paid off as the Spaniard netted two late goals to seal the win.

However, Arsenal’s preparations for the West Ham fixture have been bolstered by the news of Paquetá’s absence. Hammers boss Graham Potter confirmed on Thursday that the Brazilian playmaker suffered an ankle injury in a collision with Aaron Wan-Bissaka during training this week.

“It was a training incident—just an innocuous one. He went over on his ankle in a collision with Aaron Wan-Bissaka,” Potter explained. “He will be missing for the Arsenal game and probably Leicester as well. We’ll take it day by day, but I’d imagine he’ll be out for a week or two.”

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Paquetá, who joined West Ham from Lyon for over £50 million in 2020, has been a key player for the club, making 110 appearances and scoring 18 goals. His absence is a significant blow for Potter, as the midfielder had been rediscovering top form in recent weeks.

According to Standard Sport, Paquetá appeared devastated as he left training early at West Ham’s Rush Green facility on Tuesday. He had only just returned from a minor knock and played the full 90 minutes in the Hammers’ 1-0 defeat to Brentford last weekend.

If Paquetá’s injury keeps him out for an extended period, Carlos Soler is expected to deputise in midfield.