The latest Arsenal injury news ahead of the Premier League game against Manchester City - with updates on Bukayo Saka, Martin Ødegaard and more.
Arsenal face a potentially critical match against Manchester City on Sunday – but Mikel Arteta is sweating on the fitness of several key players ahead of a game which could have a significant impact on the Gunners’ title chances.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard are among the players striving to return to full fitness, while defender Ben White was surprisingly omitted from the matchday squad when Arsenal travelled to Spain to play Athletic Club in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
We’ve got all the latest news on Arsenal’s injured players below, along with their expected return dates when available.
Will Bukayo Saka be fit to play against Manchester City?
Club captain Ødegaard had to be taken off during the recent 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest after appearing to aggravate a shoulder injury which had already troubled him this season – and the Norwegian midfielder was notable by his absence when Arsenal travelled to the Basque Country in midweek.
Winger Saka, likewise, was not included in the team as he works his way back to full fitness following a hamstring injury. Saka, who was initially reported as being likely to miss around four weeks of football, hasn’t featured since the defeat of Leeds United in August.
Arteta clarified before the match against Athletic Club that Ødegaard was “still out” with his shoulder issue but did not clarify whether he was expected to be available for the weekend. The Arsenal head coach had previously suggested that the playmaker had some chance of playing on Tuesday, suggesting that he won’t be out for very long.
Saka, meanwhile, is expected to be out for the game against Manchester City, with Arteta telling the media that “there are still quite a lot of things to go through,” adding that “it’s very early to understand when and which week he’s going to be available - but he will certainly be pushing to be available as quickly as possible."
Is Ben White injured again for Arsenal?
One surprise from Tuesday was the absence of Ben White from the matchday squad. The right-back had missed time with an undisclosed muscular injury but returned to the bench for the game against Forest and was expected to be available once more – but Arteta eventually admitted that White, too, was “unfortunately” unfit for the game against Athletic Club.
As a result, it is unclear whether White will be able to play any part against Manchester City, but there is more optimism over the involvement of William Saliba, who returned to the bench in midweek following the ankle injury he sustained against Liverpool. It is not yet known whether the Frenchman is likely to start or whether Cristhian Mosquera will continue to deputise.
There was further good news with summer signing Christian Nørgaard making his delayed debut following injury when he came on as a late substitute in Tuesday’s match. The Dane should be back on the bench to face Manchester City.
Finally, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus continue to be long-term absentees thanks to serious knee injuries. Havertz is expected to return in November, while Jesus is more likely to be available again in December or January, although a timeline has not yet been set as he continues his rehabilitation.
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