Odegaard, Merino, Zinchenko – Latest Arsenal injury news and return dates for Man City

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team, bolstered by strong defensive performances in their last two games, are gearing up for a clash with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. The Gunners have kept clean sheets in both games leading up to the match.

The shift towards a solid defence was arguably necessitated following Arsenal’s 4-1 defeat to City at the end of the 2022/23 season. Now equipped to capitalise on opponents’ errors and neutralise some of the most potent players, Arsenal are aiming for their first victory at the Etihad Stadium since 2015.

However, it won’t be an easy feat. Arsenal will be missing a crucial group of players for the trip, affecting not only the starting lineup but also the squad depth.

On a positive note for Arteta, Declan Rice, having served his one-match suspension, is once again eligible. He made a comeback in the Champions League match against Atalanta on Thursday.

The Arsenal skipper missed the North London derby victory due to an ankle injury sustained during the international break. His return date remains uncertain.

As expected, he did not participate in training before the Atalanta match either and was absent from the game.

Arteta has provided an update on the injury on Friday: After recent scans the scans showed that he’s got some damage especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle. We’re gonna miss him.

When pressed for a possible timeline, Arteta was cautious, saying, “After recent scans the scans showed that he’s got some damage especially on one of the ligaments in the ankle. We’re gonna miss him.”

“When pressed for a timeline he added, “I don’t want to do that because I’m not a doctor. But it’s something quite significant so we’re going to lose him for a while.”

Possible return date: Unknown.

Mikel Merino

Injury: Shoulder.

Merino is yet to play for Arsenal after breaking his shoulder in his first training session.

“Very unfortunate,” Arteta said of the incident before the international break. “Yesterday, he had a collision, and he has a shoulder injury. It looks like he’s going to be out for a few weeks.

“He was really excited, and everything was looking really good. He landed on the floor, and Gabi landed on top of him, and it looks like he has a small fracture, probably.”

Possible return date: Bournemouth (A) – October 19.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Injury: Calf.

Sidelined due to an injury sustained during the international break which kept him out of the North London Derby and subsequent matches. He has not returned to training yet.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Injury: Knee.

The Japanese defender is out of action again after a previous season marred by injuries, with no appearances so far this term. Regarding the player’s potential return, Arteta has commented: “At the moment, it is difficult to say [when he will return].

“It’s a bit slow the process of the first phase of that injury. It’s probably for the medical team to say more than that. He’s not done any training yet.”

Possible return date : Leicester City (H) – September 28.

Kieran Tierney

Injury: Hamstring

Initially expected to be leaving Arsenal, Kieran Tierney then endured a hamstring setback while playing at the Euros with Scotland. Despite these challenges, he was named in Arsenal’s 25-man Premier League team earlier in the month but hasn’t returned to training as yet.

Arteta has expressed his thoughts: “He needs to focus now on recovering in the best possible way. It’s been a tough time for him, with the last injury. We have to try to support him and make sure he comes back fit.”

Possible return date: Unknown.