Arsenal facing injury crisis BEFORE new Premier League season starts with up to four first-team out of Brentford clash

ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta faces an injury crisis just three days before his team’s Premier League campaign begins.

The Spanish coach is likely to be without FOUR first-team players for their trip to newly promoted Brentford on Friday evening.

Thomas Partey will miss the game as he’s expected to be out until September with an ankle injury picked up against Chelsea in pre-season.

Eddie Nketiah also picked up an ankle complaint against the European champions in the friendly and is expected to be out for just as long.

The 22-year-old striker, rated at £20million, is a transfer target for Arsenal’s Premier League rivals Brighton and Crystal Palace.

Gabriel Magalhaes is another Gunners star on the injury list after picking up a knee complaint during the summer.

A date hasn’t been set for the 23-year-old’s return but the club expect the defender to be back in training in weeks and not months.

And there are doubts over Rob Holding’s fitness after he missed Arsenal’s friendly defeat to Tottenham.

Speaking after the match, Arteta told : “Rob, he was not available, he wasn’t fit enough to play.”

Joe Willock could also miss the game, with the midfielder close to a £20million move to Newcastle.

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The 21-year-old was left out of the squad for the game against Spurs and Arteta refused to explain his absence in his post-match interview.

The manager said: “With Joe, we will explain the reasons when we can. It’s all I can say now, when I can say more I will let you know.”

Even if Willock is still an Arsenal player on Friday evening, it’s unlikely the club will risk him getting injured ahead of the proposed transfer.

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