Arsenal may have earned a crucial 2-1 win over Fulham on Tuesday, but it has come at some cost. While Bukayo Saka's return to action has provided the Gunners with some much-needed excitement and belief ahead of next week's Champions League clash with Real Madrid, they have suffered a fresh double injury blow.
Gabriel and Jurrien Timber limped off, adding to Arsenal's defensive injury woes after Ben White missed the matchday squad and Riccardo Calafiori sustained a knee issue during the international break.
Apart from that, it was a positive night for Mikel Arteta's side, who moved nine points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League title race. Mikel Merino gave the Gunners the lead in the first half with a deflected strike before Saka, making his first appearance for 101 days, scored less than seven minutes into his return from injury.
Although Fulham pulled one back through Rodrigo Muniz, it was too little too late and Arsenal held on to secure their second straight win, putting some pressure on Liverpool at the top of the league.
While Arsenal's immediate focus will turn to Saturday's trip to Everton, there is no doubt going to be some concern about the state of their squad on the injury front. With that in mind, football.london have taken a look at the latest update from the injured Arsenal players...
Gabriel
Gabriel limped off in the 15th minute against Fulham after suffering a suspected hamstring injury. The Brazilian was treated by the Arsenal medical staff before Jakub Kiwior replaced him.
Speaking on Gabriel's condition in his post-match press conference, Arteta said: "Worried, because he never wants to come off and he had to.
"He's not very sure about how big it is and what it is exactly but he felt that he could not continue. Yes he felt something there (hamstring), yes. It depends (on facing Real Madrid), it is a week there but I think I will say today the way he is normally...difficult but let's see."
Potential return date: N/A.
Arsenal defender Gabriel suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham
Arsenal defender Gabriel suffered a hamstring injury against Fulham
Jurrien Timber
After taking a knock in the first half against Fulham, Timber had to be substituted in the 77th minute, as Leandro Trossard came on in his absence. It appears that the Dutchman has sustained a knee injury.
Arteta said: "He was struggling, yesterday as well he wasn't at his best. We lost Ben as will the day before, so he did a big effort to try to play and he could not continue."
Potential return date: N/A.
Ben White
White missed out on the matchday squad to face Fulham. The defender has struggled for fitness this season but had returned before the March international break, having missed three months with a knee issue. But the 27-year-old now appears to have sustained a fresh setback in his road to full fitness.
"He had a little niggle two days ago," Mikel Arteta said pre-match. "Yesterday we tried, he wasn’t feeling right, so we decided not to put him in the squad today."
Potential return date: N/A.
Riccardo Calafiori
Calafiori was not involved against Fulham after picking up an injury during the international break. The former Bologna defender sustained a knee issue while playing for Italy against Germany. He was sent for scans and Arteta confirmed on Monday that he is facing "weeks" on the sidelines.
"Riccardo [Calafiori] unfortunately picked up a knee injury with the national team," Arteta said. It could have been much worse. Hopefully it’s only a matter of weeks."
Potential return date: May 2025.
Gabriel Jesus
A long-term absentee, Jesus won't feature again this season after tearing his Anterior Cruciate Ligament during the FA Cup defeat against Manchester United in January. The Brazil underwent surgery to fix the issue but won't be back in action until the start of next season at the earliest.
Potential return date: Summer 2025.
Kai Havertz
Another player set for a long spell on the sidelines, Havertz suffered a serious hamstring injury during Arsenal's mid season warm-weather training camp in Dubai. The German continues to recuperate and fans will be hoping he can be back fit and firing for the start of pre-season.
Potential return date: Summer 2025.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Tomiyasu has made one appearance for Arsenal this season, a six-minute cameo against Southampton in October.
He has otherwise struggled with a serious of injuries and underwent knee surgery in February and has since been ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
The Gunners are expecting Tomiyasu to return before the end of the year.
Potential return date: Late 2025.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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