The high of defeating Manchester City on Sunday will be overshadowed by the ongoing injury problem at Arsenal. The Gunners continued their superb start to the season with a 1-0 win over their title challenges, but Mikel Arteta continues to suffer in the medical department.
Bukayo Saka, who was a doubt after being forced off the field during Tuesday night’s 2-1 loss to RC Lens in the UEFA Champions League, missed the contest completely. As a result, the Hale End academy graduate is set to miss the upcoming international break.
There are also concerns regarding William Saliba and Leandro Trossard. In better news, Gabriel Martinelli marked his return from injury with the winner at the Emirates Stadium while Thomas Partey also appeared for the first time in over a month.
Long-term absentee Jurrien Timber is also still on the treatment table, with the Dutch international likely to miss the majority of the 2023/24 season. With all of that being said, football.london has rounded up all the injury news from Emirates Stadium ahead of the international break.
Bukayo Saka
After being forced off in the midweek defeat to RC Lens, Saka was left out of the Arsenal squad completely yesterday. The injury concerns over the winger became too much, consequently seeing him become a doubt for the international break.
Saka was in attendance at the Emirates Stadium to witness the win over City and supporters will be hoping the 22-year-old is fit enough to feature against Chelsea in less than two weeks’ time.
What Mikel Arteta has said: “He felt something and then you are tempted to risk him, but he was unable to train yesterday so that put him out of the game straight away. It’s a blow not to have him but we have lost players in recent weeks and have adapted to it. He is a really important player, there is no question about that, but the team has to use the resources that we have to make it, even without him.”
Injury: Hamstring and thigh
Expected return date : Unknown
William Saliba
One of Arsenal’s best players against Man City, Saliba withdrew from the France squad for the international break due to a toe injury. The news came shortly after the final whistle in north London, meaning the defender played the entirety of the game with an injury.
Injury: Big toe
Expected return date: Chelsea (A) – October 21
Thomas Partey
The midfielder made his first appearance since August off the bench on Sunday, replacing Jorginho in the 75th minute. His return comes after he sustained a groin problem during a training session.
Partey has been named in the Ghana squad for their upcoming games against Mexico and USMNT. Arsenal will be hoping he returns to London unscathed.
Injury: Groin
Leandro Trossard
Trossard returned to the Arsenal XI against Lens last week and was handed a place in Arteta’s side on Sunday following news of Saka’s absence. However, he only lasted 45 minutes and was replaced by matchwinner Martinelli.
The forward was expected to play a part in Belgium’s European Championship qualifier double header against Austria and Sweden. football.london understands that may still be the case, though it’s expected that he will be assessed.
What Mikel Arteta has said: “He [Martinelli] said I was going to be there, he was there in training and he said I am ready to go. Leo [Trossard] got injured and I looked and he was already dressed up ready to go.
Injury: Unknown
Return date: Unknown
Gabriel Martinelli
The Brazilian superstar returned to action in style at the Emirates Stadium with the match winner. His strike deflected off Nathan Ake and past Ederson in dramatic fashion.
Fortunately for the Gunners, Martinelli has been left out of the Brazil squad meaning he will now spend the next week or so completing his full recovery.
What Mikel Arteta has said: “Another one with big ones as well because no one was expecting him to be in the team. He said I was going to be there, he was there in training and he said I am ready to go. Leo (Trossard) got injured and I looked and he was already dressed up ready to go. He’s a joy to work with.”
Expected return date: Returned
Jurrien Timber
football.london understands that the Dutch international underwent successful surgery and now in the “recovery phase” of his rehabilitation.
He was in attendance for the game against Man United. 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.
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