The intensity and sheer volume of football matches these days mean injuries are a more regular occurrence than ever in the Premier League.
Those in European competition are forced to juggle domestic and continental commitments, further draining their depleted batteries, while even the clubs spared midweek excursions are at risk of a bad bout of injury misfortune.
As the campaign nears its conclusion and the stakes are raised, every manager wants their squad at full-strength for the run-in. However, none boast that luxury.
Here is the latest Premier League injury news ahead of Gameweek 28.
Arsenal
Bukayo Saka
Saka is a slight doubt. | James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images
There was little to cause distress for the travelling Arsenal supporters at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend, but the early withdrawal of Bukayo Saka through injury was an unwanted sight during their 4–1 demolition of Spurs. It certainly didn’t appear a significant issue for the Englishman, who walked off with ease, but he remains a doubt for the upcoming clash with Chelsea.
The same uncertainty surrounds Ben White and Kai Havertz, both of whom were unavailable for the north London derby. They appear likely to return after knocks, especially given the importance of Sunday’s game, but their comebacks are not guaranteed.
Arsenal currently have just two confirmed absentees for Chelsea’s visit, with Max Dowman and Mikel Merino residing in the treatment room.
Chelsea
Marc Cucurella
Marc Cucurella is a big miss for the Blues. | Robin Jones/Getty Images
Chelsea are certain to have four absentees through fitness issues for the trip to the Emirates Stadium, with left back Marc Cucurella having recently joined an extensive injury list. Much like clubmate Jamie Gittens, he will miss out with a hamstring problem.
Levi Colwill has been absent for the entire season with an ACL injury, while various ailments have robbed Dário Essugo of his Premier League debut—the summer recruit is back training but unlikely to feature.
There are doubts over Filip Jörgensen and Estêvão, too. The latter’s speed and impact from the bench would be missed against Arsenal if the hamstring complaint that ruled him out of the Burnley draw last weekend sidelines him once again.
Liverpool
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz was injured in Liverpool’s warm-up at the City Ground. | Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Liverpool struggled without the creativity of Florian Wirtz in their fortuitous 1–0 win at Nottingham Forest, the German injuring his back during the warm-up at the City Ground. Arne Slot had initially expected him back in time for Saturday’s meeting with West Ham United but has now admitted he has “no idea” when we will see Wirtz again.
Jeremie Frimpong could also make his return against the Hammers after missing the last five games with a groin injury. Fellow right back Conor Bradley won’t, however, as he’s out for the season, while emergency option Wataru Endo is also sidelined.
Alexander Isak is expected to return around the March international break after breaking his leg just before Christmas, but his comeback remains some way in the distance. Young defender Giovanni Leoni is another long-term absentee after tearing his ACL on his debut.
Manchester CIty
Jérémy Dok
Jérémy Doku could return to the City team. | Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images
Man City’s Croatian contingent is currently residing on the sidelines as long-term injuries to Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić continue to restrict Pep Guardiola’s options in defense and midfield respectively.
Max Alleyne remains a doubt after being withdrawn in the first half of City’s FA Cup fourth round win over Salford City, while Jérémy Doku is not guaranteed to make his comeback in the weekend’s trip to Leeds United.
Manchester United
Lisandro Martínez
Lisandro Martínez is a doubt for United’s next outing. | James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images
Lisandro Martínez was absent for Manchester United’s narrow 1–0 win at Everton on Monday night, the Argentine potentially missing the upcoming visit from Crystal Palace this Sunday, too—the fixture in which he tore his ACL last February.
Michael Carrick is also without Matthijs de Ligt, who has been absent since the end of November, meaning he’s light of options at center back. Versatile left back Patrick Dorgu is on the treatment table as well.
Mason Mount is nearing his return from injury but it remains to be seen whether he will be fit for the weekend.
Premier League Injuries Ahead of Gameweek 28
Arsenal
Player Injury Type Status
Kai Havertz Muscle Doubt
Bukayo Saka Knock Doubt
Ben White Knock Doubt
Max Dowman Ankle Out
Mikel Merino Foot Out
Aston Villa
Player Injury Type Status
Alysson Knock Doubt
Harvey Elliott Knock Doubt
Boubacar Kamara Knee Out
John McGinn Knee Out
Youri Tielemans Ankle Out
Bournemouth
Player Injury Type Status
Matai Akinmboni Fitness Doubt
Lewis Cook Hamstring Out
Ben Gannon-Doak Hamstring Out
Justin Kluivert Knee Out
Julio Soler Hamstring Out
Brentford
Player Injury Type Status
Aaron Hickey Knock Doubt
Michael Kayode Knock Doubt
Fábio Carvalho Knee Out
Josh Dasilva Knee Out
Antoni Milambo Knee Out
Brighton & Hove Albion
Player Injury Type Status
Yasin Ayari Shoulder Doubt
Solly March Fitness Doubt
Stefanos Tzimas Knee Out
Adam Webster Knee Out
Burnley
Player Injury Type Status
Zeki Amdouni Knee Out
Jordan Beyer Hamstring Out
Armando Broja Knock Out
Josh Cullen Knee Out
Connor Roberts Achilles Out
Mike Trésor Ankle Out
Axel Tuanzebe Achilles Out
Chelsea
Player Injury Type Status
Estêvão Hamstring Doubt
Filip Jörgensen Knock Doubt
Dário Essugo Knock Out
Levi Colwill Knee Out
Marc Cucurella Hamstring Out
Jamie Gittens Hamstring Out
Crystal Palace
Player Injury Type Status
Maxence Lacroix Thigh Doubt
Cheick Doucouré Knee Out
Jefferson Lerma Hamstring Out
Jean-Philippe Mateta Knee Out
Eddie Nketiah Hamstring Out
Everton
Player Injury Type Status
Mark Travers Hand Doubt
Carlos Alcaraz Knock Out
Jack Grealish Foot Out
Fulham
Player Injury Type Status
Sasa Lukić Hamstring Doubt
Antonee Robinson Ankle Doubt
Kevin Knock Doubt
Samuel Chukwueze Calf Out
Leeds United
Player Injury Type Status
Noah Okafor Hamstring Out
Liverpool
Player Injury Type Status
Jeremie Frimpong Groin Doubt
Florian Wirtz Back Doubt
Stefan Bajčetić Hamstring Out
Connor Bradley Knee Out
Jayden Danns Hamstring Out
Wataru Endo Foot Out
Alexander Isak Ankle Out
Giovanni Leoni Knee Out
Manchester City
Player Injury Type Status
Max Alleyne Knock Doubt
Jérémy Doku Calf Doubt
Joško Gvardiol Leg Out
Mateo Kovačić Ankle Out
Manchester United
Player Injury Type Status
Lisandro Martínez Calf Doubt
Mason Mount Knock Doubt
Matthijs de Ligt Back Out
Patrick Dorgu Hamstring Out
Newcastle United
Player Injury Type Status
Jacob Ramsey Hamstring Doubt
Bruno Guimarães Hamstring Out
Emil Krafth Knee Out
Tino Livramento Hamstring Out
Lewis Miley Leg Out
Fabian Schär Ankle Out
Nottingham Forest
Player Injury Type Status
Willy Boly Knee Out
Nicolò Savona Knee Out
Matz Sels Groin Out
John Victor Knee Out
Chris Wood Knee Out
Sunderland
Player Injury Type Status
Jocelin Ta Bi Ankle Doubt
Brian Brobbey Knock Doubt
Dennis Cirkin Knock Doubt
Nordi Mukiele Calf Doubt
Romaine Mundle Knock Doubt
Bertrand Traoré Knee Doubt
Reinildo Knee Out
Tottenham Hotspur
Player Injury Type Status
Pedro Porro Hamstring Doubt
Rodrigo Bentancur Hamstring Out
Lucas Bergvall Ankle Out
Kevin Danso Foot Out
Ben Davies Ankle Out
Mohammed Kudus Thigh Out
Dejan Kulusevski Knee Out
James Maddison Knee Out
Wilson Odobert Knee Out
Destiny Udogie Hamstring Out
West Ham United
Player Injury Type Status
Pablo Felipe Calf Out
Łukasz Fabiański Back Out
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Player Injury Type Status
Leon Chiwome Knee Out
Hwang Hee-chan Calf Out
Other Key Injuries
Mohammed Kudus
Tottenham’s injury list is unforgiving. | Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Tottenham’s surprise entrance into the relegation battle has been partly caused by a ridiculous amount of bad luck in the injury department. Nine players are certain to miss Gameweek 28, including the likes of Mohammed Kudus, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur.
Brazilian enforcer Bruno Guimarães remains a major miss for Newcastle United as they chase continental qualification, while their fierce local rivals Sunderland might be forced to cope without Brian Brobbey and Nordi Mukiele for the upcoming clash with Bournemouth as they seek to leapfrog the Magpies.
Aston Villa’s decline can be attributed to the absence of their midfield trio of John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara, with Unai Emery’s engine room stretched for this Friday’s Midlands derby against last-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Brentford sorely missed the long throws of Michael Kayode in the defeat to Brighton and are sweating on the Italian’s fitness as they push for a surprise European berth. Everton, who are also in the hunt for continental football, are still trying to energize their attack without long-term absentee Jack Grealish.
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