Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a number of injury concerns ahead of this Saturday’s Premier League fixture against Burnley. The Gunners have several long-term absentees, including the likes of Thomas Partey, Gabriel Jesus and Jurrien Timber.
However, they have been handed a boost in Jesus’ case, with the Brazilian international included in the Selecao’s latest squad ahead of the international break that takes place after this weekend’s action. Elsewhere, the north Londoners were without club captain Martin Oddegaard and striker Eddie Nketiah last night as they took on Sevilla in the UEFA Champions League.
Arteta’s side defeated the La Liga side 2-0 thanks to finishes from versatile attacker Leandro Trossard and right-winger Bukayo Saka. But Saka then picked up an injury of his own in the second-half before eventually being forced off the pitch late on.
Following the excellent result for the Gunners, football.london has rounded up all the latest injury news from the Emirates Stadium 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.
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
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."
Thomas Partey
football.london understands that Partey sustained a thigh injury in training a couple of weeks ago. A club statement read: "Thomas Partey misses out on tonight's game with a muscle issue." It was later confirmed by Arteta that the midfielder would miss a few weeks with his problem.
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."
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. It remains to be seen how serious the issue is.
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."
