Mikel Arteta has been handed a number of fresh Arsenal injury blows ahead of this weekend's clash in the Premier League against Burnley. The Gunners were able to avoid losing three games on the spin on Wednesday evening with a dominant victory in the Champions League against Sevilla, however a double injury worry has emerged from the game.
Following the win, Arteta confirmed that both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Bukayo Saka picked up knocks which were severe enough to see both subbed off. As a result, the duo are doubts to make the weekend, although Eddie Nketiah is in contention to return, as football.london understands. Martin Odegaard has missed the last two games but could also be back involved on Saturday.
Thomas Partey is another star on the injury list and that looks set to stay that way for the next few months with the thigh injury requiring a "procedure" to solve. With that said, football.london has pulled together all the latest Arsenal injury news ahead of tomorrow's fixture with Burnley at Emirates Stadium
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
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."
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.
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 : N/A
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."
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."
football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel
Want to keep up to date with the breaking and important Arsenal stories whilst on the move? Well now you can!
Click this link to follow the football.london Arsenal WhatsApp channel, where you'll be kept up to date on the latest Gunners news wherever you are.
Just remember to turn on the notifications once you've followed, and you won't miss a beat!