Martin Odegaard, pictured here in August, is advancing in his recovery from injury(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal handed Odegaard and Gabriel injury boosts ahead of Newcastle clash but doubts remain

by · ChronicleLive

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a positive injury update this week as his side prepare to face Newcastle United. The two meet at St James' Park in the early Saturday lunchtime kick-off, with both looking to build on midweek Carabao Cup victories that sent them through to the last eight of the competition.

Having made a number of changes for his side's visit and victory at Deepdale where Preston North End were easily despatched of, Arteta will look to change things up again for the trip to Newcastle but he's still sweating on the fitness of several players and will certainly be missing some key men.

Jurrien Timber, despite hobbling off against Liverpool last weekend, was named in the starting XI against Preston at right-back in place Ben White, who was given the night off having only just returned from injury himself. White is expected to return to face the Mags, but the return of others is not so certain.

Gabriel Magalhaes hobbled out of the game against Liverpool and missed the Preston game. The Brazil international looks to have avoided a major injury. While he is yet to train since the game at the weekend, he is expected to do so this week and looks likely to feature against Newcastle, reports Football.London.

Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney are still recovering from their own more serious issues. Odegaard suffered an ankle injury during the Nations League match against Austria in September. He was expected to be out for around two months after being assessed, but could make an early return against Newcastle. That is only a slim possibility, though, with next week's game against Chelsea a more likely target for him.

Tierney remains out of action after suffering a horrible hamstring injury while playing for Scotland at Euro 2024 and will not feature at St James' Park.

Meanwhile, Riccardo Calafiori has a knee injury which is likely to keep him out for a further couple of weeks, while Takehiro Tomiyasu's return date is unknown.