Mikel Arteta has shared Arsenal injury updates on Kai Havertz, Ben White and Bukayo Saka.(Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))

Saka, Havertz, Odegaard, White - Arsenal injury news and return dates for Bournemouth

The latest Arsenal injury news as Mikel Arteta sweats on a number of players for their Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth.

18 Oct 2024, 13:30 by Kieran Horn · football.london

Mikel Arteta has shared fresh updates on nine Arsenal injuries for the upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth. The likes of Martin Odegaard and Ben White have been on the absentee list for some time - with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz now among those who could join them.

The October international break has been far from kind to Arteta with Saka and Gabriel Martinelli picking up fresh knocks - while Havertz and Thomas Partey remained at London Colney because of minor issues. Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko, both crucial to Arteta's system, have also missed action in recent weeks.

Gabriel Jesus, Mikel Merino and Takehiro Tomiyasu have only recently recovered from their own issues, too, with Arteta hoping his squad can be boosted further by more key names returning. Positive updates were provided on Saka and Timber, among others, but there's real concern over Odegaard, Martinelli and Havertz.

With all of that being said, football.london has rounded-up everything there is to know on the nine players that could miss out vs Bournemouth because of injury;

Bukayo Saka

Injury: Hamstring.

Saka suffered a hamstring injury during England's shock defeat to Greece in the Nations League last Thursday. The Gunners winger was seen clutching the back of his leg - moments before Vangelis Pavlidis fired the visitors ahead.

Following his initial tests, it was decided that Saka would not travel to Finland for Sunday's clash and he was sent back to London Colney. The Hale End graduate was considered a doubt for the Bournemouth game, but a positive update was issued by Lee Carsley. Arteta has also eased concerns with his own update.

What Arteta has said: "It's not a serious injury, and he's evolving well. He was probably good enough to play with the national team second game. We have some big tests today [on Friday] so we are hopeful."

Return date: Bournemouth (A) - Premier League - October 19.

Kai Havertz

Injury: Knee.

Despite completing 90 minutes against Southampton before the international break, Havertz pulled out of the Germany squad due to a knee problem. He has remained at London Colney this break, but is still an injury doubt.

What Arteta has said: "He had a few issues but we've been dealing with that. We've great communication with Germany. If he trains well today he has a good chance to be fit and available."

Return date: Bournemouth (A) - Premier League - October 19.

Martin Odegaard

Injury: Ankle.

Odegaard suffered an ankle injury during the 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. He has been ruled out of the Bournemouth clash.

What Arteta has said: "He's not going to be fit for this game [with Bournemouth]. Next week will be a different story. In that later stage of his rehab, where he is at the moment because he's already doing a lot of stuff already, he needs to clear some markers.

"There are certain things he needs to be comfortable with doing, especially with the ball. Next week will be crucial to understanding how close he is."

Possible return date: Chelsea (A) - Premier League - November 10.

Ben White

Injury: Groin.

White came on as a half-time substitute during the 2-2 draw with Manchester City - last month - and it was then revealed that he had been dealing with a number of plaguing muscular problems. His groin is the latest area that's said to be causing issues.

What Arteta has said: "They are quite close the three of them [White, Timber and Zinchenko]. Today we'll have to push. We are struggling a bit with the numbers, especially in our right side."

Return date: Bournemouth (A) - Premier League - October 19.

Gabriel Martinelli

Injury: Calf.

Martinelli was an unused substitute in Brazil's second game of the international break against Peru. That's despite concerns over a calf injury.

What Arteta has said: "Gabi landed yesterday [Thursday] afternoon. Yesterday, he went outside for a bit, to see how he's feeling. We have to decide if we want to take a risk because I know he'll say he is."

Return date: Bournemouth (A) - Premier League - October 19.

Thomas Partey

Injury: Unknown.

The midfielder was pulled from international duty before heading away with the Ghana squad. A statement read: "Thomas Partey is unable to join the Black Stars due to medical issues he's currently experiencing, and his club has scheduled him for further tests in the coming days."

Return date: Unknown.

Jurrien Timber

Injury: Unknown.

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 Arteta has said: "They are quite close the three of them [White, Timber and Zinchenko]. Today we'll have to push. We are struggling a bit with the numbers, especially in our right side."

Return date: Bournemouth (A) - Premier League - October 19.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Injury: Calf.

Zinchenko hasn't featured for Arsenal since August - missing the last four Premier League games with a calf injury. He wasn't called up by Ukraine for their two Nations League fixtures during the break, unsurprisingly.

What Arteta has said: "They are quite close the three of them [White, Timber and Zinchenko]. Today we'll have to push. We are struggling a bit with the numbers, especially in our right side."

Return date: Bournemouth (A) - Premier League - October 19.

Kieran Tierney

Injury: Hamstring.

Tierney remains out of action after suffering a horrible hamstring injury while playing for Scotland at Euro 2024. He is yet to return to training having been expected to leave the club over the summer.

What Arteta has said: "He needs to focus on recovering in the best possible way as 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.

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