Arsenal injury update: Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Arsenal set to be without captain for extended period

Arsenal continue to pick up results despite a lengthy injury list.

The Gunners were seconds away from a statement win with ten men away to Manchester City, but conceded deep into stoppage-time and had to settle for a point.

Mikel Arteta’s side were without the likes of Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Oleksandr Zinchenko for that match, while more changes were required during the match.

Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber both went down and had to be replaced in the second-half, as Myles Lewis-Skelly finished the match at left-back.

Mikel Arteta must continue to cope without key first-team players

Fabrizio Carabelli/PA Wire

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal are set to be without Odegaard for a lengthy period, after it was confirmed he has suffered a “significant” ankle injury.

The midfielder came off while on international duty with Norway against Austria after land awkwardly on his left ankle, and he was later pictured on crutches as he returned to London.

“It’s something quite significant so we’re going to lose him for a while.”

Potential return date: November 2024

Riccardo Calafiori

Calafiori has had injury issues to contend with since his summer arrival, missing the north London derby after a freak collision with Ousmane Dembele during the international break.

The Italian has since returned and made his full Arsenal debut against City, scoring a stunning equaliser to mark the occasion as he impressed at left-back.

Calafiori went down off the ball in the second-half and had to be replaced, but Arteta suggested that was due to the defender not yet being up to full match fitness.

“They haven’t played 90 minutes in this context that's for sure, especially in the last week with what they've had to do,” he said of Calafiori and Timber.

“Everybody is so willing to help the team. We will find solutions.”

Potential return date: Wednesday September 25, vs Bolton

Riccardo Calafiori scored on his full Arsenal debut

Action Images via Reuters

Mikel Merino

Merino is continuing to recover from a shoulder injury that has prevented him from making his debut for Arsenal.

He picked up the issue in his first training session for the club, but reports suggest Merino has been seen without a sling as he moves towards returning to fitness.

It was reported at the time that the midfielder would miss two months of action, meaning his debut will not come until at least after the next international break.

Potential return date: Late October 2024

Jurrien Timber

It has been a busy week for Timber, who has started all three matches since the international break.

The Dutchman was shifted to right-back against City and played 90 minutes, until he was unable to continue in stoppage-time and came off for Lewis-Skelly.

However, Timber spoke after the match and provided a positive update on his fitness.

"It's been a long time since I've played so many games, especially in seven days, so that's really good,” he said.

Potential return date: Wednesday September 25, vs Bolton

Oleksandr Zinchenko

There has been no sign of Zinchenko in an Arsenal shirt since he featured for Ukraine against Czechia earlier this month.

The left-back has missed the last three Arsenal matches with a calf injury, as he was again not named in the squad against former club City. No official update has been provided by the club.

Potential return date: Unknown

Oleksandr Zinchenko has not played since the international break

Action Images via Reuters

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Tomiyasu has not yet played a single minute for Arsenal this season, having suffered a knee injury in the summer.

The Japanese defender has not returned to training and a recent vague update from Arteta suggests that a return is not imminent.

"At the moment, it’s difficult to say," the Arsenal boss said.

"It’s a bit slow the process of the first phase of that injury. It’s probably for the medical team to say more on that."

Potential return date: Unknown

Kieran Tierney

Tierney has been out since he picked up a serious hamstring injury for Scotland at Euro 2024.

As a result, the left-back was not able to secure a summer move away from Arsenal, and has surprisingly been named in the club’s Champions League squad, despite remaining on the sidelines.

Arteta said last month: "He needs to focus on recovering in the best possible way, it’s been a tough time for him again with the last injury. We have to try to support him and make sure he gets back fit."

Potential return date: Unknown