Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend against Southampton.
The Gunners currently sit just a point behind league leaders Liverpool who they face after the international break on October 27. Mikel Arteta’s side beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday after last weekend’s thrilling comeback win over Leicester City.
It’s been a good start to the season for Arsenal who are also still going strong in the Carabao Cup. Arteta’s team travel to Preston in the next round on October 30.
There are however several injury concerns for the Gunners. Below is the latest on Arsenal’s absentees…
Martin Odegaard
Injury: Ankle
The influential Arsenal skipper missed the North London Derby win due to an ankle injury sustained during the international break. His return date remains uncertain and is expected to be after the next international break.
What Arteta has said: “After recent scans, they’ve showed that he’s got some damage especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle. We’re going to miss him. It’s quite significant, so we’re going to lose him for a while.”
Possible return date: Late October.
Jurrien Timber
Injury: Muscular
Timber started for the seventh time in a row on Tuesday night and was impressive against Bradley Barcola at right-back. However, he did not re-emerge out of the dressing room for the second half and was replaced by Jakub Kiwior.
What Arteta has said: “He was unbelievable in the first half, but he felt something muscular and he wasn’t certain.
“So I didn’t want to take any risks. He’s been out for a year and he’s played a lot of minutes, probably more minutes than we would have wanted in the past few weeks and we have to manage him.”
Possible return date: Southampton – October 5.
Ben White
Injury : Groin.
After missing the win over Leicester, White was also nowhere to be seen against PSG. It’s not yet clear if he’ll be deemed fit enough for the visit of Southampton.
What Arteta has said: “Those [White and Calafiori] are the two players that are in contention and we have to review today.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Injury: Calf.
Sidelined due to an injury sustained during October’s international break, which also kept him out of the North London Derby and subsequent matches. He has not returned to training yet.
What Arteta has said: “No big news. We have a training session this afternoon. We have to review a few players. Overall in terms of returning players nothing to give back.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Injury: Knee.
The Japan defender is out of action again after a previous season marred by injuries, with no appearances so far this campaign. He took part in training ahead of PSG but may well remain unavailable whilst he builds up fitness.
What Arteta has said: “We don’t know with Tomi because he’s another one that pushes every single day. He’s in a good place now I think.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Kieran Tierney
Injury: Hamstring.
Initially expected to be leaving Arsenal, Kieran Tierney then endured a hamstring injury while playing at the Euro 2024 with Scotland. Despite these challenges, he was named in Arsenal’s 25-man Premier League squad last month, but hasn’t returned to training as yet.
What Arteta has said: “He needs to focus now on recovering in the best possible way. It’s been a tough time for him, with the last injury. We have to try to support him and make sure he comes back fit.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
