An explanation for the absence of shot-stopper Bernd Leno from Arsenal’s matchday squad to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday night has been provided.
German international Leno, expected to take his place on the bench as backup to Aaron Ramsdale at Molineux, will in fact be unavailable for selection to Mikel Arteta, it has been confirmed.
This comes with the 29-year-old having returned a positive test for Covid-19, and, as per the United Kingdom’s guidelines, subsequently entered a period of self isolation in north London.
Youngster Arthur Okonkwo replaces Leno on the Arsenal bench:
? Team news update…@Bernd_Leno misses today’s game after testing positive for Covid.
Get well soon, Bernd! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fpdaiKBN7f
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 10, 2022
Top-4 repercussions
Tonight’s clash, of course, is expected to prove a tricky one to navigate for Mikel Arteta’s visitors.
This comes with Wolves having rattled off a trio of successive wins over the course of the last month, to climb within just two points of Arsenal in the Premier League table.
A 4th-straight triumph on Thursday, in turn, would see the Molineux outfit leapfrog both the Gunners and capital rivals Tottenham in the English top-flight table.
On the other hand, should Arsenal get the better of Bruno Lage’s troops, the London giants will deal their own hopes of a top-4 finish a considerable boost.
This comes with both Spurs and Manchester United having already dropped points this week, to leave the door ajar for Arteta and co. to climb within a point of 4th-placed West Ham, despite boasting a pair of games in hand on the Hammers.
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