Arsenal are dealing with several injury and fitness concerns as they prepare to face Brentford in the Premier League
14:16, 13 Feb 2026
Martin Odegaard of Arsenal
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Martin Odegaard has emerged as an injury concern for Arsenal(Image: Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Arsenal will have some injury concerns and fitness worries ahead of their FA Cup clash against Wigan Athletic this weekend. The Gunners are in fourth-round action of the competition on Sunday afternoon, as they continue their quest to win major silverware this term.
Mikel Arteta’s side go into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with Brentford in the Premier League on Thursday night, a result which leaves them with a four-point lead over second-placed Manchester City at the top of the table.
Arteta was forced to have some key players unavailable for selection for Arsenal’s draw with Brentford, including William Saliba.
The centre-back was unavailable for the match through illness, with Arteta offering an update before kick-off on Thursday night.
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"This morning Wilo [Saliba] wasn't feeling good so he's ill. He's at home, just short-term,” Arteta said on Thursday evening.
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Arsenal were also without Kai Havertz, with Arteta confirming that the Germany international picked up an injury last weekend
"After the game we played against Sunderland, Kai felt a little niggle, so we need to wait and see how long he will be out,” Arteta said.
There were also some concerns about Martin Odegaard’s fitness after the draw with Brentford, with the Arsenal captain making a cameo appearance from the bench.
Odegaard missed Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Sunderland last weekend with a muscle injury, but was fit enough to be named on the bench to face the Bees and was introduced after the half-time break.
After the draw with Brentford, Odegaard was spotted limping heavily through the mixed zone at the Gtech Community Stadium, and it remains to be seen if the midfielder will be available to face Wigan this weekend.
Arsenal have Mikel Merino as a long-term absentee, who recently underwent surgery after suffering a fractured bone. A timeframe for a return is still unknown, with Arteta recently offering an update on whether or not the midfielder could feature again this season.
"I think the doctors were really happy with the way it went. It's obviously a long process," Arteta said on Wednesday.
"You're talking about bone healing, so you need to be patient, you respect the timings. I'm sure Mikel is going to do everything that he possibly can to speed up that recovery.
"And the timeframes, we're talking about months, whether it's three or four or five, we don't know."
Max Dowman is getting closer to a return to action for Arsenal after suffering an ankle injury in December, and Arteta explained why he hopes to have the academy starlet available in the near future.
"Max is still not available," Arteta said earlier this week. "He's doing very well. I think he will be with us in a week or so, and then he just needs to pick up the rhythm and be available for us."
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