Arsenal were without two (not including long-term injuries or suspensions) of their players when they faced Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Monday night and Unai Emery gave reasons for that.
The Gunners recorded a 2-0 victory over Rafael Benitez's side to go past Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur on the league table.
An Aaron Ramsey strike in the 30th minute plus Alexandre Lacazette's lob towards the end of the match gave the North London side a good start after the international break.
The manager faced the press at the end of the encounter to iron out a number of issues among which was the absence of Laurent Koscielny, Granit Xhaka and why Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had to start from the bench.
According to the Spaniard, the Gabonese international battled illness for two days meaning he had to be reintroduced gradually.
Xhaka could not make it for the clash due to a groin injury he picked up while playing for Switzerland against Denmark in a Euro qualifier game last week.
Our captain was also left out as he was below the average fitness level required to feature. He had a bruised left foot.
Emery also stated that there was an injury concern from the Newcastle fixture and Ramsey was the victim.
The Wales international was taken off due to cramp which is not expected to keep him out of the next match.
Arsenal's fight for a top-four finish seems to be getting easier with Wolves' 2-1 win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Red Devils on Tuesday night.
They will head to Merseyside to lock horns with Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
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