Arsenal have enjoyed a winning start the season but will be sweating over the fitness of numerous star players as they travel to Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday.
The Gunners thrashed newly-promoted Leeds United 5-0 last weekend to make an early statement of intent in the title race, building on their slender victory at Old Trafford in the opening matchweek.
But just as was the case last term, injuries could prove detrimental to Mikel Arteta’s push to finally win major silverware at the Emirates, with Arsenal’s absentee list already beginning to grow.
Here’s the status of every Arsenal player currently on the treatment table.
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal’s talismanic winger hobbled off against Leeds with another hamstring problem, this time in his left leg. Saka missed three-and-a-half months last season with the same issue in his right hamstring, which he underwent surgery to treat.
“He (Saka) does not need surgery,” said Arteta. “It’s not as bad as the previous one. He felt something, so he will be out for a couple of weeks.
“But it is obviously a concern, a big one, especially when we talk about a sprinter and a player that gets into that zone very often in a football match, who needs that burst, that change of rhythm of pace to be as threatening as possible.
“But we will learn again as to why it happened and make him stronger. Unfortunately injuries are part of a career. He hasn’t had that many to be fair with the amount of games that he has played at his age but it is something that we want to eradicate.”
Possible return: End of September
Martin Odegaard
The Gunners skipper similarly suffered a new injury last weekend, departing the field in the first half with a shoulder issue. Odegaard landed heavily on his right shoulder after being tackled. He is a doubt for the Liverpool clash but has been included in the Norway squad for the upcoming international break. Whether he is deemed fit enough to feature for his country is yet to be seen.
“We don't know yet,” Arteta said on his availability. “He hasn't trained yet, and if he does, it will be tomorrow. He's doing everything he can, we're doing everything that we can to make him available, but we'll have to wait and see tomorrow.”
Possible return: After international break
Kai Havertz
The German has not featured for Arsenal since suffering a knee injury against Manchester United on the opening weekend. Havertz has been ruled out for Germany's World Cup qualifiers next month and has undergone surgery on his knee – but the club hope he will not face a sustained period on the sidelines.
A statement from Arsenal read: “Further to sustaining a knee injury after our recent game against Manchester United on 17 August, subsequent assessments and specialist reviews with Kai confirmed that surgery would be required.
“Today, Kai underwent a successful minor surgical procedure. He will shortly begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with everyone fully focused on supporting Kai to ensure he is back to full fitness as soon as possible.”
Arteta added: “I think it will be weeks, but I don't know how many months. Very unfortunate, very sad for him. He did tremendously well to recover from the previous one; he’d never had an injury before, and suddenly this happens.”
Possible return: Unknown
Ben White
The defender was left out against former side Leeds after suffering an unspecified knock and missing training in the week leading up to the clash.
Arteta, however, hinted that this was a precautionary measure and therefore White could be brought back into the fold to face Liverpool.
Possible return: 31 August
Christian Norgaard
Summer signing Norgaard has yet to make his Arsenal debut due to a minor unspecified injury, but comments from his manager hint that he is closing in on a return.
Arteta said he will be out for “another week or so” prior to the Leeds game, meaning he could be in line to feature against Liverpool.
Possible return: 31 August
Gabriel Jesus
The Brazilian suffered an ACL tear in January and remains sidelined, having missed the remainder of last season.
Possible return: November
