Arsenal injury update: Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Jesus latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Gunners with major issues to contend with ahead of Tottenham clash this weekend

Arsenal faced the prospect of facing big rivals Tottenham without a number of key players.

The Gunners, who were held to a 1-1 draw with Brighton before the Premier League paused for the first time this season, make the short trip across north London on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s side then travel to play Europa League winners Atalanta in the new-look Champions League before meeting title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

It will be a huge test for Arsenal, who will no doubt need their key players available as they battle across two fronts at home and in Europe.

They are already without Declan Rice for the trip to Spurs after the midfielder’s controversial red card against Brighton, placing an early strain on the squad, before Martin Odegaard handed them a major scare on Monday night.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Arsenal injuries…

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard appeared to have shaken off fitness fears after coming off against Brighton by playing for Norway during the international break.

However, Odegaard was forced off the pitch with a suspected ankle injury during Norway’s second Nations League game of the international break to leave Mikel Arteta sweating on the fitness of his skipper.

Potential return date: Sunday 15 September 2024 vs Tottenham

Martin Odegaard hobbled off the pitch against Austria

TV2

Riccardo Calafiori

Summer signing Riccardo Calafiori was forced off during Italy’s Nations League clash against France on Friday night.

Calafiori took a painful knock to his calf in a freak collision when he was accidentally caught down the back of his leg by France’s Ousmane Dembele.

He received treatment on the pitch and initially tried to play through the problem, but had to be replaced.

The defender has returned to Arsenal for assessment, though Italy manager Luciano Spalletti hinted the injury was not particularly serious.

Potential return date: September 2024

Mikel Merino

Summer signing Mikel Merino faces an extended wait for his debut.

The midfielder fractured his shoulder during his first training session with Arsenal and reports have suggested Merino is facing up to two months out of action.

Potential return date: Unknown

Gabriel Jesus

Jesus managed just five minutes on the opening day of the season against Wolves and has been missing in Arsenal’s two matches since.

The forward has a groin injury, although there is optimism he may have recovered during the international break.

Speaking ahead of the Brighton match, Arteta said Jesus was expected to be available “pretty soon”.

Potential return date: September 15, vs Tottenham

Gabriel Jesus has been dealing with a groin injury

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Takehiro Tomiyasu

A knee injury continues to keep Tomiyasu on the sidelines, with the versatile defender yet to feature this season.

The Japanese star has not yet returned to first-team training and Arteta’s recent comments suggest a return is not imminent.

"At the moment, it’s difficult to say," he said.

"It’s a bit slow the process of the first phase of that injury. It’s probably for the medical team to say more on that."

Potential return date: Unknown

Kieran Tierney

Tierney initially appeared likely to leave Arsenal over the summer, but he suffered a hamstring injury while playing for Scotland at Euro 2024.

That made a summer exit difficult and means the left-back is still at the club, though it remains to be seen how close Tierney is to returning to fitness.

Arteta said last month: "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."

Potential return date: Unknown