Jurrien Timber latest, Kai Havertz absence,Ben White case – Arsenal injury news and return dates for Bournemouth
Mikel Arteta has been handed three major injury concerns all without Arsenal even playing. The likes of Martin Odegaard, Ben White and Jurrien Timber are already absentees and have thus remained at London Colney over the October international break.
Kai Havertz and Thomas Partey were due to represent Germany and Ghana, respectively, though both have remained in England because of minor knocks. That double decision, while concerning, will arrive as a boost for Arteta if they can play against Bournemouth, though he has been handed a major worry involving Bukayo Saka.
Last month’s two-week domestic pause was when Odegaard picked up his injury and a repeat looks to have occurred with Saka subbed off holding his right hamstring in action for England. Though the issue only took place just over 24 hours ago, plenty of theories have emerged about the severity of the injury and his potential return date.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka appeared to suffer a hamstring injury during England’s clash against Greece in the Nations League on Thursday night. The Gunners winger has been sent for a scan to assess the potential damage with a decision needing to be made before next Saturday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth.
What Carsley has said : “He’s being assessed. In the build-up to the first goal, you could see he felt something in his leg.”
Return date: Unknown.
Kai Havertz
Despite completing 90 minutes against Southampton before the international break, Havertz pulled out of the Germany squad due to injury.
In his absence, Tim Kleindienst started Germany’s Nations League encounter with Hungary while Havertz is back at London Colney recovering from a minor knee issue
What the German Football Association statement said: “Kai Havertz will miss the upcoming international matches due to knee problems. Get well soon, Kai!”
Return date: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League – October 19.
Martin Odegaard
Odegaard suffered an ankle injury during a Nations League match against Austria in September. The 25-year-old midfielder is nursing the problem, but it remains to be seen exactly when he could return to action following some mixed messages.
What Mikel Arteta first said: “Martin is very difficult, I expected still with the boot and a lot of things and he’s working so hard and is feeling good and is pushing it so it’s difficult to give a timeline.”
What Martin Odegaard said earlier this month: “In the last week or so I’ve made really good progress. I’m getting better and better by the day and feel it’s going well. When you feel like things are moving forward, it gives you motivation to do more and more and work harder.”
What the Norway boss said in an interview with Norwegian newspaper Dagsavisen: “There is great progress in relation to pain and injury, but he is a long way from playing matches. I don’t think anyone knows [his return date], and I don’t think he knows it himself either.”
Return date: December.
Jurrien Timber
Timber was substituted at half-time during Arsenal’s win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League and was left out of the matchday squad to face Southampton. The defender was then omitted from the Netherlands squad for Nations League matches against Hungary and Germany.
What Mikel Arteta said: “We had to modify training for a lot of players. We’ve done the same today because of the load that they had, so it’s a decision to make this afternoon, whether to involve them, yes or no. They are close.”
Return date: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League – October 19.
Ben White
White was also absent from the matchday squad to face Southampton, forcing Arsenal to deploy Thomas Partey as a makeshift right-back. The defender has not featured since being sent on as a half-time substitute in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City last month, following a knee issue.
What Mikel Arteta said: “We had to modify training for a lot of players. We’ve done the same today because of the load that they had, so it’s a decision to make this afternoon, whether to involve them, yes or no. They are close.”
Return date: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League – October 19.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Zinchenko hasn’t featured for Arsenal since August, missing the last four Premier League games with a calf injury.
What Mikel Arteta said: “Alex probably after the international break if everything goes well. He’s progressing really well.”
Return date: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League – October 19.
Kieran Tierney
Tierney remains out of action after suffering a horrible hamstring injury for Scotland at Euro 2024.
What Mikel Arteta said in August: “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.”
Return date: Unknown.
