Arsenal Injury Update: Latest on Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Kai Havertz, Including Expected Return Dates

Arsenal is gearing up for their return to Premier League action this weekend, but they still have several injury concerns affecting key players.

The Gunners will face Bournemouth away in Saturday’s evening fixture, resuming their campaign after an unbeaten start that currently places them third in the table, just a point behind leaders Liverpool and reigning champions Manchester City. Their last match saw them secure a comeback victory against Southampton at the Emirates Stadium. Continue Reading>>>

The recent international break has been a challenging period for manager Mikel Arteta, who has had to manage several injury setbacks. A month after losing captain Martin Odegaard to an injury in the Nations League, other key players like Bukayo Saka have also faced fitness issues. Saka, in particular, had to leave the pitch with an injury during England’s surprise loss to Greece at Wembley.

Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey also withdrew from international duties last week due to injury concerns. However, alongside the uncertainty surrounding Saka, there is hope that several players could return to action against Bournemouth.

Here’s a summary of the latest updates on Arsenal’s injury situation and potential return dates, as they prepare for a demanding end to October. Their upcoming schedule includes matches against Liverpool, a Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk, and a Carabao Cup round-of-16 game against Preston.

Bukayo Saka

Saka started for England in their match against Greece but had to leave the game early in the second half due to an injury sustained during the lead-up to the opposition’s first goal. Interim England manager Lee Carsley did not provide specific details but mentioned that Saka would undergo a scan and was later ruled out of the squad for the game against Finland.

Despite this, Carsley suggested that Saka might still be fit for Arsenal’s game against Bournemouth, saying he was close to playing if he had stayed with the England squad. “Bukayo was close, but it would have been too risky to play him,” Carsley said. “He’s positive, and I expect him to be fine.”

Potential return date: October 19, vs. Bournemouth (pending further evaluation)

Martin Odegaard

Concerns over Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard increased when rumors spread on social media that he had suffered a setback in his recovery from a significant ankle injury, possibly sidelining him until December. However, this speculation seems inaccurate. Before Arsenal’s win over Southampton, Odegaard hinted in his program notes that his recovery was progressing faster than initially expected.

The club also released a video of Odegaard training on an anti-gravity treadmill, suggesting he is making good progress. While Arsenal and Arteta have not committed to a specific return date, it is possible that Odegaard could be back by late October or early November, possibly in time for the important match against Liverpool on October 27.

Potential return date: Late October

Kai Havertz

Havertz played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal’s recent 3-1 win over Southampton, scoring a key goal to initiate the comeback. Despite this, he later withdrew from Germany’s squad for Nations League matches due to a knee issue.

However, it is understood that the decision to pull out was mainly precautionary, and the 25-year-old is expected to be ready to play when Arsenal returns to Premier League action against Bournemouth.

Potential return date: October 19, vs. Bournemouth

Thomas Partey

Partey, like Havertz, was called up for international duty but withdrew from Ghana’s squad for their AFCON qualifying matches against Sudan due to health issues.

Reports suggest that Partey was dealing with an illness rather than a significant injury, and he is expected to be available for Arsenal’s match against Bournemouth. He will also hope that Arsenal’s defensive injuries are resolved soon, allowing him to return to his usual midfield role instead of covering as a right-back.

Potential return date: October 19, vs. Bournemouth

Ben White

Right-back Ben White has been sidelined since suffering a groin injury during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Manchester City on September 22. This injury kept him out of the last four games in all competitions.

However, before the match against Southampton, Arteta mentioned that a late decision would be made regarding White’s fitness, suggesting that he was nearing a return. Given that he was close to being available for selection, there is optimism that he will be fit to face Bournemouth after having two more weeks to recover.

Potential return date: October 19, vs. Bournemouth

Jurrien Timber

Timber missed the Southampton match after being substituted during Arsenal’s Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain due to a minor knock. Concerns over Timber’s fitness are heightened given his previous ACL injury that kept him out for most of his debut season.

Arteta did not rule Timber out until close to the game against Southampton, indicating that his recent issue is not serious. Having stayed with the club during the international break, Timber could be ready to return for the Bournemouth fixture. Continue Reading>>>

Potential return date: October 19, vs. Bournemouth

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Zinchenko has been unavailable since Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton on August 31 due to a calf injury. However, his recovery is reportedly progressing well, and Arteta mentioned that he expected Zinchenko to be fit following the international break, assuming no setbacks.

With competition for the left-back spot growing due to strong performances from Jurrien Timber and summer signing Riccardo Calafiori, Zinchenko will face a challenge for his place in the starting lineup.

Potential return date: October 19, vs. Bournemouth

Kieran Tierney

Tierney has not played this season after suffering a severe hamstring injury during Scotland’s Euro 2024 group-stage match against Switzerland in June. He was expected to be out for an extended period, and no specific return timeline has been provided.

His future playing time at Arsenal remains uncertain, as the injury may have prevented a summer transfer following his loan spell at Real Sociedad.

Potential return date: Unknown

Neto

Although not injured, Neto will miss the game against Bournemouth due to restrictions in his loan agreement with Arsenal, which prevent him from facing his parent club in the Premier League.

This won’t be a major issue, as first-choice goalkeeper David Raya is fit again. It remains unclear if third-choice keeper Tommy Setford will be available as back-up, or if young academy player Jack Porter will fill in as he did recently.

Potential return date: October 22, vs. Shakhtar Donetsk