Jurrien Timber blow, Martin Odegaard update – Arsenal injury news and return dates for Bournemouth
Mikel Arteta has been dealt a huge injury boost ahead of Arsenal’s clash against Bournemouth. The Gunners will face Andoni Iraola’s side at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the Premier League title race builds a head of steam.
Arsenal head into the tie off the back of a dramatic 3-1 win over Southampton, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka finding the net after falling behind. As for the Cherries, they’ll be eager to return to winning ways after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Leicester City.
While Arteta will be determined to leapfrog Liverpool and climb into first place, the Spaniard could be without some big names.
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 was seen clutching the back of his thigh moments before Vangelis Pavlidis fired the visitors ahead.
Following initial tests, it was decided that Saka would not travel to Finland for Sunday’s clash in the Nations League, and he was sent back to London Colney. The Hale End graduate was considered a doubt for the Bournemouth match before a positive update was issued.
What Lee Carsley said: “Bukayo would have been close but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him. He’s a positive person and I expect him to be fine.”
Return date: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League – October 19.
Kai Havertz
Despite completing 90 minutes against Southampton before the international break, Havertz pulled out of the Germany squad due to a knee problem. The German Football Association announced the Arsenal forward’s omission, stating he will not be involved in the Nations League games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands.
What the German Football Association 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: Unknown.
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.”
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.
