Football Reporter
A look at the injury news surrounding Arsenal and Fulham as they prepare to face off in the Premier League.
Arsenal are back in action on Tuesday night when they face London rivals Fulham. The Gunners look to be out of the Premier League title race, but they will not only want to keep on the pressure, but they will also want to establish momentum as they prepare for Champions League quarter-final clashes with Real Madrid.
As for Fulham, they missed out on an FA Cup semi-final over the weekend, but they remain in the European race, and this will be another key game in their bid to land some sort of European qualification. Here we round up the latest injury news surrounding both teams.
Reiss Nelson - Out
Nelson is out for the season after requiring surgery. Silva said at the time: “He got surgery and could be out until the end of the season. I don't want to give a timescale that is 100 per cent sure, but it could be out until the end of the season. It's a big blow for us, definitely. He was really unlucky.”
Harry Wilson - Out
Wilson also had surgery, but his season is not over, and he should return in late April. Silva has said previously: “He got the surgery last Monday. Everything went well; now we have to step by step keep recovering him. It's going to take a long time, probably the beginning of April.”
Kenny Tete - Out
Barring a big surprise, this one will come a little early for Tete, who could be back for the weekend. Silva said in his last update: “Kenny step-by-step is being integrated a little bit more. Not 100 per cent with the team, but around in some drills.”
Gabriel Jesus - Out
Jesus is out for the season after he ruptured his ACL early in the year. A statement read at the time: “Further to being substituted during our match with Man United, Gabriel Jesus has received extensive assessments, which have confirmed that he has sustained an injury to the ACL in his left knee.”
Takehiro Tomiyasu - Out
Tomiyasu’s season is over after he required a further procedure to correct a knee issue. A statement read: “Despite an initial procedure, followed by a RTT, Tomi continued to have issues with his knee, resulting in a further corrective surgical procedure. He will now begin his rehab programme, which is expected to be completed towards the end of this year.”
Kai Havertz - Out
Another player whose season has drawn to a close, Havertz required surgery on a hamstring issue. Arteta said at the time: “We were having a great camp in Dubai recharging, training, having some time off and connecting again with nature in a different environment, and then the injury happened in a very unexpected way.”
Bukayo Saka - Out
Saka is back training but this one will come too close, with Arsenal not likely to take any risks, with the Champions League the likely priority. Arteta said before the break: “Yes, he's got a good chance [of returning in April]. He is going to be here [at London Colney], hopefully, more with the ball at his feet than he has had. He's getting closer; he's stepping up and making very good progress.”
Riccardo Calafiori - Doubt
Calafiori came off during international duty with Italy and will be a doubt here. His national team boss Spaletti said: “We don’t know about Calafiori. His knee feels strange, but he can’t answer the question of what he feels.”
Your next read, Berta could boost Arsenal's transfer war chest with early £18.4m sale