Arsenal defender Thomas Inigo Mikel has been ruled out of the Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Sunday due to a hamstring injury. The club confirmed the news in a statement on their official website.
The 28-year-old Englishman was injured during the match against West Ham United on Saturday night and underwent further medical evaluation. Arsenal's physiotherapist revealed that the injury is more serious than initially thought and will require him to miss three rounds of matches.
This setback comes as Arsenal are currently facing pressure from both within and outside the team. The club has struggled to find a consistent striker this season, with Olivier Giroud struggling with injuries and Bukayo Saka still recovering from a knee operation. Thomas Inigo Mikel's absence could be particularly detrimental to Arsenal's defense, which has been underperforming lately.
The manager, Mikel himself, expressed his concern about the injury and its impact on the squad. "We're disappointed to hear that Thomas has been ruled out," he said. "He's a crucial player for us, and we'll do everything we can to support him through this difficult time."
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have welcomed the loss of Thomas Inigo Mikel. The French defender has played a significant role in their midfield, and his absence should give Palace some breathing space. The Eagles will hope to capitalize on Arsenal's weakened defenses and secure a much-needed victory.
In the meantime, Arsenal will look to other options to fill the void left by Thomas Inigo Mikel. They may turn to young players like Ben White or Alex Tetteh, who have shown promise in recent months. However, the long-term solution will likely involve finding a new striker to replace Olivier Giroud.
Overall, Thomas Inigo Mikel's absence from the Premier League game against Crystal Palace represents a significant blow to Arsenal's chances of securing a win this weekend. The club will need to adapt quickly and make strategic changes if they want to avoid being swept aside by their rivals.