According to various reports, Arsenal are hopeful the injuries sustained by Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard in Saturday’s 5-0 demolition of Leeds United are not as serious as first feared.
Both players were forced off at the weekend, Ødegaard after an awkward fall left him clutching his shoulder, and Saka with a suspected hamstring problem.
While Mikel Arteta could call on Ethan Nwaneri and Leandro Trossard, with further options still on the bench, he’ll be relieved that two of his most influential players aren’t facing long-term absences, even if they remain doubts for Sunday’s trip to reigning champions Liverpool.
This time last year, Odegaard missed several weeks with an ankle injury, a setback that took a toll on both his form and the team’s. Saka, meanwhile, was sidelined for three months after undergoing surgery to repair a torn hamstring in his right leg; this latest muscular issue is in the other leg.
After Kai Havertz picked up a knee problem following the opening day win at Manchester United, it’s been an inauspicious start on the injury front. The club are waiting for swelling in the German’s knee to subside before deciding on the best course of action. It’s been rumoured that he’s facing at least a couple of months on the sidelines.
Elsewhere, Ben White and Christian Nøogaard missed the Leeds game, while Gabriel Jesus remains a long-term absentee as he continues rehabilitation from ACL surgery in January.