Arsenal go into the international break eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, but with the action on the pitch now paused it will be injury concerns worrying Mikel Arteta the most.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba both picked up injuries as Arsenal were knocked out of the Europa League by Sporting last week, and the Gunners will be desperately hoping the pair are not facing long spells on the sidelines.
That would be a significant blow to Arsenal’s title hopes, though there is more positive news with Gabriel Jesus now back in the first-team fold and ready to play his part in the run-in.
Eddie Nketiah is still out for the Gunners with an ankle injury, while Mohamed Elneny remains a longer-term absentee after knee surgery.
Here is your latest updates of Arsenal injuries and return dates...
Takehiro Tomiyasu
There is plenty of worry at Arsenal over Tomiyasu’s injury, a knee problem picked up early in the match against Sporting as he stretched for the ball. The right-back left the Emirates in a brace and on crutches.
He will be assessed on Monday, but he has pulled out of the Japan squad and it remains uncertain whether he will play again this season.
Arteta said on Sunday: “We’ve had one assessment, they need to have another assessment tomorrow, but it’s not looking good, that’s for sure.
“Looking at Tomi, he’s not someone who exaggerates things. He was really concerned straight away, and we are concerned.”
Tomiyasu leaving the Emirates crutches. pic.twitter.com/ygJSp0LKlN
— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) March 16, 2023
William Saliba
Saliba was also forced off inside 20 minutes against Sporting, picking up a back injury and he will not feature for the French side in the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.
The severity of the issue will be confirmed on Monday, though it’s been reported in the French media that Saliba could face several weeks on the sidelines.
“We hope Willy is going to be better news but again we have to wait to understand a better picture,” Arteta said.
Eddie Nketiah
An ankle injury has kept Nketiah out since the beginning of March, with his last start coming in the dramatic comeback win over Aston Villa.
The return of Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard has helped ease Arsenal’s shortage in forward areas, which is just as well as Arteta confirmed Nketiah has a “big challenge” to return from the injury.
Speaking last week, the Arsenal boss revealed the striker was still wearing a protective boot, with his return to fitness certainly not imminent.
“He’s getting better,” Arteta said. “He’s still in the boot and still a few weeks away. We need to be patient.
“It was a nasty injury and he has a big challenge ahead of him. Thank God it could have been worse. So he’s not in a bad place.”
Mohamed Elneny
Elneny underwent knee surgery in January after picking up a significant injury in training, and the club confirmed afterwards that the Egyptian midfield would miss an “extended period of time”.
A more exact timeframe on his return has not yet been given, but Elneny is not expected to return before the end of the season.
