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Mikel Arteta's plans to secure Arsenal's return to the Champions League have been disrupted with injuries to both Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey at a crucial stage in the campaign.

Whilst there is hope that the former will return to action before the end of the season to play some part in the top-four run-in, the Scotland international won't play again this term after undergoing surgery to correct a knee problem in order to get him fully fit for the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

As a result, Arteta won't be able to name what many consider to be his best Arsenal starting line-up for their remaining eight Premier League games against Southampton, Chelsea, Manchester United, West Ham United, Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United and Everton.

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When taking into consideration that the Gunners' best run of form this season coincided with the Spaniard being able to put out a settled side week-in, week-out over the festive period and then again after the winter break, the worry is that Tierney's absence and a long spell for Partey on the sidelines could be too much to overcome.

But whilst it's mathematically possible for Arsenal to finish in the top-four or qualify for either the Europa League or the Europa Conference League, there's still plenty to play for this season and a core group of players whom Arteta can trust to seal a return to