White, Saka, Odegaard – Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Bolton clash

Arsenal were cruelly denied a monumental win at Premier League title rivals Manchester City on Sunday. Goals from Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori at Etihad Stadium turned the game on its head after Erling Haaland had put the hosts in front, though substitute John Stones scored late on to salvage a point for City.

The game, unsurprisingly, was filled with controversial and chaotic moments from the first whistle until the very last. Among the major talking points was Leandro Trossard’s second yellow card and subsequent sending off for delaying the restart after fouling Bernardo Silva just before half time.

Arsenal attempted to hold onto their lead, with Bukayo Saka replaced by Ben White at the interval, however a scrappy effort from Stones pulled City level. Given the stars Arsenal were missing, it was a tremendous performance by Arteta’s side, though a draw will certainly feel like a defeat as they were so close to taking all three points.

With the fixtures coming thick and fast – Bolton are up next – Arsenal will need to move on from the heartbreak suffered at the home of their biggest domestic rivals and Arteta will also need the full complement of his squad.

Ben White

Injury: Unknown.

For the first time in 33 Premier League games, Ben White was left out of Mikel Arteta’s starting XI. Following Leandro Trossard’s red card, White was introduced at half time of the clash against Manchester City.

After the game, with Jack Grealish flying past him for City’s equaliser, Arteta revealed that White was actually dealing with an injury.

“Yeah, we didn’t want to [play him that long], but we had to,” he said. “I spoke to him yesterday and I wanted to protect him. He’s not going to ever tell you that he’s not fit. He will run through a brick wall for you. The intention was not to use him today. But I’m very grateful because he performed extremely well.”

David Raya

David Raya put in yet another superb performance but even he was unable to prevent Manchester City from finally breaking Arsenal’s resistance. The Spaniard made nine saves in the clash and that appears to have taken its toll with Raya captured limping back through the mixed zone with some strapping on his knee.

Possible return date: Bolton (H) – Wednesday, September 25.

Bukayo Saka

For White to be introduced, one Arsenal player had to be sacrificed and Saka was chosen as that man. The England international has dealt with some minor injuries in the past and while that could have played a role in his early withdrawal, it was likely a tactical decision by Arteta.

Possible return date: Bolton (H) – Wednesday, September 25.

Martin Odegaard

Injury: Ankle.

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. Odegaard was also unsurprisingly missing from the squad that travelled to Manchester

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.

Possible return date: Unknown.

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.