Arsenal injury news as Mikel Arteta dealt yet more squad problems with fitness blows picked up against Liverpool
Arsenal once more fell foul to the injury Gods as mid-game problems for Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber disrupted Mikel Arteta’s already skewed plans against Liverpool. Lining up with a backline featuring Thomas Partey at right-back, the Gunners were left to re-adjust some more.
Ben White has shifted to the centre at the start of the match due to William Saliba’s suspension-enforced absence, whilst Timber wasn’t offered a comfortable return from his own lay-off. The Dutchman went straight into the middle of the action, pitted against Mohamed Salah.
That didn’t seem to bother Arsenal early on as they penned Liverpool back and took an early lead through Bukakyo Saka. Playing his own first minutes for over two weeks, he started on the right as captain for Arsenal. Virgil van Dijk and Salah would level for the visitors when Arsenal had worked a lead, though, leaving the title race picture as it had been to start with.
Here, football.london has the latest from the Arsenal treatment room ahead of midweek Carabao Cup demands away to Preston North End.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Injury: Knee.
Gabriel went down after a challenge from Darwin Nunez against Liverpool. The back of his left knee was hit and despite trying to play on, Arteta had to sub him off shortly after. The Brazilian was spotted with a large ice pack over his knee when sat on the bench.
What Arteta has said: “I don’t know but he could not run. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know if it’s the knee joint or the ankle. They’re assessing him now so [touches wood].”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Bukayo Saka
Injury: Hamstring.
Saka returned to the team against Liverpool, starting as captain. He was taken off in the second half but not due to injury.
What Arteta has said: “It tells you he’s been very consistent. He’s been very lucky with injuries [knocks on wood], hopefully that continues. After a few weeks off the way he played and competed was exceptional. I think we had some big, big performances from the team.”
What Saka has said: “”I’m feeling good, I felt I could finish the game but obviously the gaffer took me off. Yeah, I felt good.”
Possible return date: Returned.
Jurrien Timber
Injury: Unknown.
Like Saka, Timber started against Liverpool but had to be taken off before the end of the match. He appeared to go down with cramp before playing on. That didn’t last long, Miles Lewis-Skelly replaced Timber in the second half.
What Arteta has said: “I think we’ve done everything we could to accelerate that process [of him returning]. He was so willing. The team and the medical staff have done a great job. We gave ourselves the chance to compete. I don’t know the extent of the injury if there is one. The same with big Gabi [Gabriel Magalhaes]. Continue to go.
Possible return date: Newcastle (A) – Saturday, November 2.
Riccardo Calafiori
Injury: Knee.
Calafiori was forced off with an injury during the Champions League clash at home to Shakhtar Donetsk after slipping in a challenge. Reports in Italy, from Corriere Dello Sport, suggest that he will only be out for several weeks. The issue is not described as being serious.
He did not play any part in the draw to Liverpool.
What Arteta has said: “He needs some more tests. Yesterday he had some, today he’s going to have some more. Last time we thought it was really bad and then he ended up playing two days later.”
Possible return date: Newcastle (A) – Saturday, November 2.
Martin Odegaard
Injury: Ankle.
Odegaard suffered an ankle injury during the Nations League match against Austria in September. He was expected to be out for around two months after being assessed, and may be able to return before the next international break.
Speaking after the Liverpool draw, Arteta said that he was still “a bit far away” from playing. He has not been back in training yet.
What Arteta has said: “I don’t think so [Odegaard fit to play Liverpool]. Martin is frustrated and desperate to return. But hopefully this period will teach him some things that are important in life.”
What Odegaard said: “I’m feeling better and better each day, but when it’s an ankle injury you have ups and downs as well. Some days you feel really good, and then sometimes you can have a little reaction. But in general it’s getting better and I feel like I’m getting closer now.
“I’ve been doing a lot of work in the gym, and was on an anti-gravity treadmill recently, which is really good because it takes the weight off. Especially at the beginning that was really good, to be running again like that when you’ve been offloading the leg and not using it as much as normal.
“That was a good feeling, helping me get back to moving in a normal way, and being able to run after not being able to do that.”
What Norway boss Stale Solbakken has said: “We have a legitimate hope that he is ready [for the November international break].”
Possible return date: Chelsea (A) – Premier League – November 10.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Injury: Unknown.
Tomiyasu was again absent from the matchday squad against Shakhtar Donetskand Liverpool having also missed the weekend defeat to Bournemouth. He has struggled with injury for most of 2024.
What Arteta has said: “We don’t know [how long he will be out for]. It doesn’t look like, hopefully, a long period but we have to see when he comes back how he reacts to the load and to the impact on the pitch as well.
“But we really need him, he has been incredible, his work rate, the amount of hours he has put in to get back. He did it and he was in great shape – and now he has got something else again. But, we are all behind him. He needs our support and hopefully he will be fine.”
Possible return date: Unknown.
Kieran Tierney
Injury: Hamstring.
Tierney remains out of action after suffering a horrible hamstring injury while playing for Scotland at Euro 2024. He is yet to return to training having been expected to leave the club over the summer.
What Arteta has said: “He needs to focus on recovering in the best possible way as it’s been a tough time for him again with the last injury. We have to try to support him and make sure he gets back fit.”
Return date: Unknown.