Raya, White, Merino - Arsenal injury news and return dates before Leicester clash

Latest Arsenal injury news with Mikel Arteta providing fresh updates on the fitness of David Raya and Ben White before Leicester

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be hoping David Raya and Ben White are available for selection to face Leicester City this afternoon. The Gunners head into the Premier League clash at Emirates Stadium in search of another victory having drawn two of their last three games in all competitions.

It must be mentioned though that the stalemates came away to Atalanta in the Champions League and Manchester City, with a 5-1 win over Bolton in the Carabao Cup following those results. Arteta had a number of key players absent for that midweek game but both Neto and Leandro Trossard are guaranteed to return on Saturday.

There is however, still doubt surrounding both White and Raya, though Jurrien Timber is expected to be available. The Arsenal boss has also provided fresh updates regarding those already on the injury list with a return date and debut seemingly in sight for Mikel Merino.

With that said, football.london has taken a look at all of the Arsenal players that could miss out and thus their potential return dates.

David Raya

Injury: Thigh

After hobbling away from last weekend's clash against Manchester City and then missing the Carabao Cup win over Bolton, David Raya is a huge injury doubt to face Leicester.

Though he had been able to confirm it was a muscular injury, Arteta was reluctant to reveal his availability. "We have to wait another 24 hours," he admitted in a press conference.

READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on David Raya injury, Man City criticism and Arsenal youngsters

READ MORE: Mikel Merino Arsenal injury latest as Mikel Arteta finally close to dream midfield trio

"We have to wait 24 hours to see if it’s looking good or not that good. It’s not about a risk, it’s about a player being fit and available or not. When we have that clarity for Leicester, which is the main thing we’re thinking about at the moment, we will make that decision tomorrow."

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

Ben White

Injury: Unknown.

Arteta is hopeful that Ben White will be fit enough to be involved in the matchday squad to face Leicester after missing the midweek Carabao Cup clash against Bolton.

When asked for the latest team news, Arteta said: "Jurrien [Timber] was able to take part in training today, that’s good news, so he’ll be available in the squad. Hopefully Ben [White] too."

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

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." The Arsenal boss has since provided a positive update on the Spain international's recovery.

"Tomorrow is too soon," he told reporters. "Next week we’ll see. He had partial training today. He’s been working so hard. It’s looking good. It’s about the healing of the bone and how mature that is to expose him to contact basically."

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

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: Late October.

Jurrien Timber

Though he went down with an injury against Man City and also missed the game against Bolton, Timber will be back in the matchday squad, as per Arteta.

"Jurrien [Timber] was able to take part in training today, that’s good news, so he’ll be available in the squad," the Arsenal boss said.

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

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.

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