£240k-per-week Arsenal star won't return for "best part of four weeks" with injury - journalist

An integral member of the Arsenal squad isn't set to return until the "best part of four weeks" through injury, and there could be an even longer wait than that depending on his rehabilitation.

Arsenal's injury concerns over international break

Mikel Arteta's side were given a brief scare against newly-promoted Southampton over the weekend, with Cameron Archer handing the Saints a shock lead before Arsenal swiftly responded.

Now, Arteta and co have the international break to regroup behind the scenes and prepare for Arsenal's next encounter - a trip to Bournemouth before taking on Ukrainian heavyweights Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Arsenal's next five Premier League games

Date

Bournemouth (away)

October 19

Liverpool (home)

October 27

Newcastle United (away)

November 2

Chelsea (away)

November 10

Nottingham Forest (home)

November 23

However, Arteta also has a fair few injury concerns to contend with going into the contests. Ben White's groin injury has ruled him out of Arsenal's previous four matches, while defender Jurrien Timber is nursing a muscle problem.

Oleksandr Zinchenko won't be back for weeks after suffering his own injury, with Arsenal pretty light in terms of full-back options right now when also factoring in Kieran Tierney's absence.

Martinelli-Zinchenko-Arsenal

Arsenal supporters were dealt very worrying news when in-form forward Kai Havertz, who has been pivotal over these opening weeks of the campaign, pulled out of international duty with Germany.

The ex-Chelsea star is carrying a knee problem, but the consensus has been that Arsenal are confident Havertz won't be a long-term injury absentee. While the 25-year-old won't be featuring for his country in their Nations League fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands, there is hope that he won't be out for much longer than that.

Arteta is still minus his club captain and chief creator Martin Odegaard as well, following the Norwegian's ankle ligament damage he picked up during the last international break.

“Martin Odegaard remains weeks away from being physically fit," said Jacobs.

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"And then, of course, you've got to get him match fit in addition to that. So I'm told at this stage that there's no rush to get Odegaard back, despite his clear importance to Arsenal, but they want him involved and fit and influencing the Liverpool game in the Premier League, as opposed to Shakhtar in the Champions League, and that comes at the end of October.

“So that's what the player and club are looking towards to try and get him sharp 100% and ready for that Liverpool game, which still gives him the best part of four weeks.