The return of midweek football is on the horizon for Arsenal as they start their assault in Europe. Aiming to go at least one better in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta will soon have cup competitions to balance as well as Champions League commitments.
It is at this stage of the season that things start to ramp up, and with a squad that has been depleted for the past two weeks, there are big challenges ahead. Having already overcome Tottenham in the first of three huge matches this week, there is little room to rest or celebrate.
On Thursday, one day later than normal, Arsenal travel to last year’s Europa League winners, Atalanta. The Italian side beat Liverpool on their way to taking the crown four months ago and will be keen to get another scalp here.
Luckily for Arteta, he will be able to call on Declan Rice once more as his domestic suspension ends, although it wouldn’t have carried over to UEFA competition anyway. There are still several other big issues at hand though.
Here, football.london has the latest from the Arsenal treatment room.
Martin Odegaard
Injury: Ankle.
The Arsenal captain missed the north London derby win after suffering an ankle injury during the international break. Arteta refused to rule him out on Friday but he was left out of the squad altogether.
Odegaard was part of the Arsenal team photo released on Tuesday but did have a ball covering his left foot. There have been suggestions it could be to keep hide the fact he is still unable to wear a boot on his injured foot.
What Mikel Arteta said: “Martin, we still have to want and see. He wasn’t available today [Sunday, September 15].”
Possible return date: Bournemouth (A) – October 19.
Bukayo Saka
Injury: Unknown.
Saka grabbed an assist at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a beautiful delivery from a corner. However, in the 86th minute, he was forced off after receiving treatment by the club physio.
What Mikel Arteta said: “I don’t know. I made two changes with the front players and suddenly he’s down. I don’t know exactly what it is but he could not continue.”
Possible return date: Atalanta (A) – September 19.
Riccardo Calafiori
Injury: Calf.
The defender suffered the injury in Italy’s Nations League clash against France. There was initial optimism that he would be able to feature for the nation again this week, but he has since returned to Arsenal to continue his recovery.
He was not named on the bench against Tottenham. Arteta would not put a timeframe on his return though.
What Mikel Arteta said: [Before Tottenham] “He’s another one where we’ll have to wait another day or so.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Mikel Merino
Injury: Shoulder.
Merino has not yet played for Arsenal after suffering a shoulder fracture in his first training session with the club before the international break. He initially wore a sling when seen at the Emirates Stadium and Sobha Realty Training Complex, but did not have the aid on during the team photo.
What Mikel Arteta has said: “Very unfortunate. Yesterday, he had a collision, and he has a shoulder injury. It looks like he’s going to be out for a few weeks. He was really excited, and everything was looking really good. He landed on the floor, and Gabi landed on top of him, and it looks like he has a small fracture, probably.”
Possible return date: Bournemouth (A) – October 19.
Takehiro Tamiyasu
Injury: Knee.
The Japanese full-back has once more suffered another injury setback having missed large parts of last season. He is yet to feature this campaign.
What Arteta has said: “At the moment, it is difficult to say [when he will return]. It’s a bit slow the process of the first phase of that injury. It’s probably for the medical team to say more than that. He’s not done any training yet.”
Possible return date: Leicester City (H) – September 28.
