Arsenal have several injury concerns ahead of this afternoon’s Premier League match against Burnley. The north London outfit will be without long-term absentees Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe and Jurrien Timber for today’s outing at the Emirates Stadium.
Club captain Martin Oddegaard, striker Eddie Nketiah, versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu and star winger Bukayo Saka are also fitness doubts for the match against Vincent Kompany’s men. Last time out, the Gunners defeated Sevilla 2-0 in the UEFA Champions League thanks to goals from Leandro Trossard and the aforementioned Saka.
With all of that said, football.london has rounded up all the latest injury news from the Emirates below.
Bukayo Saka
Saka picked up an injury during Wednesday night's UEFA Champions League clash against Sevilla. The Hale End academy graduate was constantly kicked throughout the night at the Emirates Stadium, but that didn't top him from picking up an assist for Leandro Trossard's opener before he doubled his side's lead in the second half with a clinical finish.
However, he did pick up some kind of knock in the final 15 minutes of the game, appearing to land awkwardly after going up for a header. Saka then limped off the pitch, with defender Jakub Kiwior replacing him. Despite this concern, Saka was still named in the England squad for the upcoming European championship qualifiers.
The talented youngster was then spotted alongside his teammates at a hotel in a video, potentially a hint that he will be in Saturday's matchday squad.
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What Arteta has said: "We want out players to play for their club and national team. B [Saka] didn’t train yesterday. Let’s see if he can make it tomorrow."
What Southgate said: "I couldn’t be certain that everyone in that squad will be there on Sunday night, there are varying levels of doubt,’ Southgate told a press conference. Probably Callum is the biggest doubt, I would say. But equally, I am pretty confident the others can get through and all are keen to be in the squad and that’s a really good sign."
Expected return date: Burnley (H) - Saturday, November 11
Thomas Partey
football.london understands that Thomas Partey has undergone a "procedure" set to keep him out for the remainder of the year.
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: N/A
What Arteta has said: "He’s got a muscle injury and we expect him to be out for a few weeks. We don’t know the extent of it still, he has more tests today. He got that injury in training, with the last kick of the ball. Very unfortunate. He’s got another appointment today (Tuesday) and we will see more after that."
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu was brought off at half-time of Wednesday night's match, with left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko replacing him for the second half. After the game, Arteta confirmed that the Japanese international felt a slight issue before coming off.
Tomiyasu was then spotted in Friday's training pictures posted by the club, potentially a hint that he will be fit for Saturday's outing.
What Arteta has said: "With Bukayo it was a knock Tomi was feeling something so we didn't want to take the risk so we bought Alex [Oleksandr Zinchenko] back and with the other ones hopefully they will be ok because we are missing a lot of players."
Expected return date : Burnley (H) - Saturday, November 11
Eddie Nketiah
Arsenal took on Sevilla without a recognised striker as Eddie Nketiah missed the final training session before the Champions League clash. football.london understands the striker is nursing a knock he picked up during the Newcastle defeat.
It's believed the knock is not serious and he could still be involved against Burnley this weekend. The Gunners' official X (formerly known as Twitter) account wrote: "Eddie Nketiah misses out on tonight's squad with an ankle knock."
Nketiah was then spotted in Friday's training pictures posted by the club, potentially a hint that he will be fit for Saturday's game against Burnley.
Expected return date: Burnley (H) - Saturday, November 11
Martin Odegaard
Odegaard was left out of the squad against Newcastle and Sevilla after failing to be passed fit in time for either outing. The Norwegian playmaker could return to action this weekend as his issue is not thought to be serious.
Injury: Hip
What Arteta has said: "Gabby won’t be fit, with Martin it is still uncertain, the rest no news so far."
Expected return date : Burnley (H) - Saturday, November 11
Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe missed out on the matchday squad for last Wednesday's trip to the London Stadium, picking up a knee injury prior to the match. It remains to be seen exactly how long he will be sidelined for in what is a major blow to Mikel Arteta and Co, though the manager said it would be a case of weeks.
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: N/A
What Arteta has said: “We have an issue with him. He felt something in his knee and started to feel some pain after the game - we are assessing him, but [it’s] a big worry with him. He's going to be out for weeks.
"Gabby won’t be fit, with Martin it is still uncertain, the rest no news so far."
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus was excellent in the trip to Sevilla in the Champions League, netting a goal and providing an assist but there was an injury worry when he pulled up clutching his hamstring late on in the game. Eventually, he limped off for Eddie Nketiah with ten minutes remaining on the night.
Jesus was sent for a scan on his hamstring and Arteta confirmed there would be an absence for the forward in the coming weeks. Reports have suggested he could be targeting a comeback in December, but whether or not he's back before or after the international break remains to be seen.
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: N/A
What Arteta has said: "Gabby won’t be fit, with Martin it is still uncertain, the rest no news so far."
Jurrien Timber
football.london understands that the Dutch international underwent successful surgery and is now in the 'recovery phase' of his rehabilitation. He was in attendance for the game against Man United earlier this season.
football.london spoke to Timber post-match where the 22-year-old was still using the aid of two crutches to move about. Asked how he was feeling with his recovery, a swift, 'good, good' was the response. He will be sorely missed, especially with the club failing to find a suitable replacement in the summer transfer window.
Injury: ACL
Expected return date: Early 2024
What Arteta has said: "Huge blow. Especially for him after just joining the club. To have the injury he has is a huge blow.
"It is for the team because we recruited him with clear intentions and what he was bringing to the team was evident and he’s not going to be able to do it this season for us. We have to adapt. These things happen unfortunately and we have to move on."
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