Premier League News: Baleba Out for Weeks, Arteta Defends Rice Management, Iraola Back
Manchester United’s Carlos Baleba faces a significant spell out with a hamstring injury, while Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has defended his club’s management of Declan Rice’s fitness, and Liverpool’s Andoni Iraola has backed goalkeeper Alisson amid recent scrutiny.
The Premier League is abuzz with updates on key players and managerial sentiments. Manchester United have received a blow with the news that midfielder Carlos Baleba will be sidelined for several weeks due to a hamstring injury sustained in their recent victory. This development impacts United’s efforts to improve their league position.
Meanwhile, at Arsenal, manager Mikel Arteta has firmly addressed any suggestions that Declan Rice is being overplayed. Arteta insists the club is prioritizing the midfielder’s well-being, despite his consistent presence in the squad and recent call-up to the England squad.
Adding to the managerial commentary, Liverpool’s Andoni Iraola has publicly supported his goalkeeper Alisson. The Brazilian has faced rare criticism following some defensive lapses in recent matches, but Iraola maintains that the team’s defensive issues are collective, not individual.
Baleba’s Hamstring Blow for Manchester United
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has confirmed that Carlos Baleba will be out of action for a number of weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury. The Cameroonian midfielder picked up the problem during Tuesday’s 3-2 win against Roma.
The 22-year-old, who arrived from Brighton in the summer for a reported £70 million, had begun to show promising signs for United. However, his integration into the squad has been hampered by previous issues, including an ankle problem he had upon joining the club.
Baleba had only managed seven appearances prior to this latest setback. The injury means he will miss upcoming fixtures and will not be available even after the international break, which begins next Monday. Carrick expressed his disappointment, noting the significance of Baleba’s absence as the team seeks to improve its form.
Carrick also provided an update on Patrick Dorgu, who has been dealing with his own hamstring issues. Dorgu has been unavailable since suffering an injury while on international duty with Denmark during the previous break. He has recently returned to training with the first team, but the club is managing his return carefully to avoid further setbacks.
The news of Baleba’s injury comes at a critical juncture for Manchester United, who are currently 17th in the Premier League table, separated from the relegation zone only by goal difference. The team faces Aston Villa on Sunday, a fixture that carries significant weight given the club’s current league standing.
Arteta Defends Rice’s Workload Amid England Call-up
Mikel Arteta has strongly defended Arsenal’s management of Declan Rice’s fitness, asserting that the club is providing more care for the midfielder than in any previous season. Rice was included in the England squad for the upcoming international fixtures, despite showing signs of fatigue in Arsenal’s recent Champions League victory.
Rice had previously withdrawn from the England squad in September due to fitness concerns. However, he was named in a five-player Arsenal contingent for the latest call-up, even after being substituted in the latter stages of the Champions League match against Slavia Prague. The 27-year-old has a history of long-term back and hamstring issues, which were exacerbated during the World Cup.
Arteta highlighted that Rice has been rested for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup defeat against Fleetwood, a decision he views as evidence of the club’s careful handling of his fitness. He pointed out that Rice is the only player in the squad to have been left out of the squad for two cup games, emphasizing the club’s proactive approach.
“Concerns?” Arteta questioned when asked about Rice’s workload. “Which is the only player in this squad that for two games in the Carabao Cup has been left out of the squad? At home with two days off. That’s my concern.”
He continued to stress the club’s commitment to his well-being: “It’s not true [that Rice has been overplayed]. We are really looking after him more than any other season. The way he’s training and all the love. That’s it. Here are the demands of this football club and you have a player like him. Not only him because there are many others that have even less time. That’s it. That has to be the mindset. If you start to put other things in your brain, damage. Erase them, get them in the bin and just focus on what you have to do.”
The inclusion of Ben White in the England squad marks his return for the first time since before the World Cup. Arsenal’s representation in the England squad, which also includes Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Eberechi Eze, makes up a significant portion of the selection. Arteta believes that having a strong English core, particularly one with deep connections to Arsenal, is vital for the team’s identity and success.
“There is something that has to be within you, in your veins, in your roots,” the manager stated. “When you are from here, you are so attached because we signed some players as well that they are already Arsenal supporters since they were kids and that has a different meaning. You can become one, which is great, and we have a few of them, but when it’s already there in your DNA it’s even more powerful and for me that’s very, very important.”
Iraola Backs Alisson Amidst Defensive Scrutiny
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has defended goalkeeper Alisson Becker, stating that the Brazilian is not solely to blame for the team’s recent defensive frailties. Iraola also expressed his hope that Alisson will extend his stay at Anfield beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of the season.
Alisson made an error in the build-up to Arsenal’s winning goal in their recent Premier League clash. He was also part of a defensive unit that appeared unconvincing in Liverpool’s midweek Champions League defeat against Fenerbahce. These performances have led to rare criticism of the usually reliable goalkeeper.
However, Iraola was quick to absolve Alisson of individual responsibility. He argued that the goals conceded in the past week against both Arsenal and Fenerbahce were the result of collective failings rather than any single player’s mistake.
“We’ve conceded goals in the last week against Arsenal and Fenerbahce where it is difficult to blame just one player, especially the Fenerbahce goals,” said the Liverpool head coach. “They were messy situations, especially the deflection off Cody Gakpo for the second goal.”
Iraola emphasized that multiple players were involved in the defensive breakdowns. “There have been more players involved than just Alisson. Even in the Arsenal goal, it’s true that we messed up in the goal kick. I assume part of that because I am the one who is telling them to play it. But even after we lose the ball we have eight defenders behind the ball, so Ali is not the one more responsible for those goals.”
Alisson has previously been fortunate to escape punishment for similar risky passes against Fulham and Brighton, but his error against Arsenal was ultimately costly. Despite this, Iraola does not want the Liverpool keeper to alter his playing style, which often involves distributing the ball from the back.
“We try to help the players identify when the situation is clear enough to play those kind of balls on our edge, or when the press is so aggressive that we should go more direct,” Iraola explained. “Obviously we are going to make some mistakes in this process.”
The future of Alisson, along with captain Virgil van Dijk, remains uncertain as both are in the final eight months of their Liverpool contracts with no extension yet agreed. When asked if this could be Alisson’s final season at Anfield, Iraola deferred the question.
“I don’t know, that is a question you have to ask him. I hope not, I hope he continues with us for more time but, when you ask me about contracts and these situations, it is a matter for the players and the club.”
Looking Ahead
The upcoming international break offers a temporary respite from club duties for many players. However, the focus will soon return to domestic and European competitions. Manchester United will be looking to regroup and address their league position upon Baleba’s eventual return, while Arsenal and Liverpool will aim to maintain their form despite these personnel and fitness updates.
The managerial comments from Arteta and Iraola underscore the complex nature of player management in the modern game, balancing performance demands with the crucial need to protect players from injury and fatigue. As the Premier League season progresses, these ongoing narratives will undoubtedly continue to shape the fortunes of the clubs involved.
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