Arsenal have several injury worries ahead of today’s huge Premier League clash against Manchester City.
Hale End academy graduate Bukayo Saka is a doubt after being forced off the field during Tuesday night’s 2-1 loss to RC Lens in the UEFA Champions League.
But Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has since confirmed that the England international is in contention to face the reigning league champions, a major boost to the north Londoners considering fellow winger Gabriel Martinelli has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for the last three weeks.
Long-term absentee Jurrien Timber is also still on the treatment table, with the Dutch international likely to miss the majority of the 2023/24 season.
Bukayo Saka retained his spot in the Premier League by being named in the starting lineup for the win over Bournemouth this past weekend after missing the Carabao Cup win over Brentford in midweek.
However, after scoring the opener, Saka limped off the pitch in the second half after being on the receiving end of a number of tough challenges and was replaced by Fabio Vieira in the final 15 minutes.
Saka then started the game against RC Lens four days later but after 33 minutes he was subbed off with a potentially major hamstring issue. According to the Mail, Saka has suffered a hamstring tweak plus a blow to the thigh, but the injury is not viewed as serious.
Thomas Partey
The Ghana FA confirmed earlier this month that Partey had sustained a groin problem during a training session, a major blow to Arteta. Partey has now returned to full team training ahead of Lens with a chance he is involved in the clash. The experienced midfielder was an unused substitute in the Champions League defeat to RC Lens and Arteta has confirmed that he will be in the squad again to face City on Sunday.
What Mikel Arteta has said: “He is ahead of schedule, that’s for sure. We wanted to have him in the squad if we needed to, the way the game panned out we had other necessities and didn’t use him. He will be in the squad.
Injury: Groin
Expected return date: Manchester City (H) – October 8
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus played the entirety of the contest against Bournemouth in a front three with Eddie Nketiah and Saka. However, he was seen limping at the end of the game, with Arteta later confirming there is a slight concern for the Brazilian ahead of the Champions League tie. The Brazilian was then seen in training on Monday, suggesting there is no issue there.
Against RC Lens, Jesus played the full game and got on the score sheet in the first half.
What Mikel Arteta has said: “Gabi was limping as well after the game so let’s see how they are.”
Expected return date : Returned
Fabio Vieira
Having fought his way into contention on the left side of the midfield, Fabio Vieira was absent from the side’s clash with Brentford. He was back in contention once again on Saturday though, where he made a cameo towards the end of the win over Bournemouth. The Portugal international replaced the injured Saka in the Champions League defeat to RC Lens.
Expected return date : Returned
Leandro Trossard
Leandro Trossard was the hero in Arsenal’s win over Everton as he replaced the injured Gabriel Martinelli, taking over duties on the left flank. The Belgian limped out of training a few weeks ago though, with what was understood to be a lower hamstring strain, keeping him out of action.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion frontman was in the squad at the Vitality Stadium over the weekend, but was an unused substitute. Trossard then started against RC Lens and played just over 60 minutes in the clash.
What Mikel Arteta has said: “He [Martinelli] hasn’t trained, we need him back, we want him back. [For Saka and Trossard], it’s the same situation.”
Injury: Hamstring
Return date: Returned.
Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli suffered a hamstring injury during the win against Everton. The Brazilian winger was absent from the squad for the North London Derby despite being present at the Emirates Stadium to support his teammates.
There is optimism that Martinelli could be available for the game against Manchester City on October 8. However, this is not looking likely.
What Mikel Arteta has said: “He [Martinelli] hasn’t trained, we need him back, we want him back. [For Saka and Trossard], it’s the same situation.”
Expected return date: Unknown
Jurrien Timber
