For the second time in a row, Arsenal have come out of the break with more worries than they entered with, and that is saying something. Already dealing without Martin Odegaard due to a damaging ankle injury picked up in the last set of international fixtures, Arteta's headache has only gotten worse.
Kai Havertz was pulled from Germany duty shortly after beating Southampton whilst Ben White and Jurrien Timber continue to be doubts. Oleksandr Zinchenko has been out for a while now, with backup goalkeeper Neto unavailable to fill the bench at Bournemouth on Saturday due to loan restrictions.
With an already small squad, Arteta has plenty to balance as the return of domestic football looms. Here, football.london has the latest from the Arsenal treatment room with full injury updates ahead of the trip to the south coast.
Gabriel Martinelli
Injury: Calf.
Brazil confirmed that the Arsenal attacker had picked up an injury whilst away. "Player Gabriel Martinelli complained of pain in his right calf and underwent an MRI on Sunday night, which showed a small area of muscle edema in that area," a statement read.
“The athlete continues to undergo physiotherapy treatment under the care of the Brazilian national team's medical department." Martinelli was left unused in a 4-0 win against Peru in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Return date: Unknown.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Injury: Knee.
The Arsenal full-back has reportedly picked up a setback in his attempts to recover from injury. The club are said to be fearful that he will be sidelined once more despite just making a comeback to the pitch.
Tomiyasu was left out of the Japan squad for the break due to his lack of gametime. He had played his first minutes of the season in a brief cameo against Southampton.
Return date: Unknown.
Bukayo Saka
Injury: Hamstring.
Saka suffered a hamstring injury during England's clash against Greece in the Nations League last Thursday. The Gunners winger was seen clutching the back of his thigh moments before Vangelis Pavlidis fired the visitors ahead.
Following 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 match before a positive update was issued.
What Lee Carsley said: "Bukayo would have been close but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him. He’s a positive person and I expect him to be fine."
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. The German Football Association announced the Arsenal forward's omission, stating he will not be involved in the Nations League games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Netherlands.
What the German Football Association said: "Kai Havertz will miss the upcoming international matches due to knee problems. Get well soon, Kai!"
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 explained, "Thomas is unable to join the Black Stars due to medical issues he is currently experiencing, and his club has scheduled him for further tests in the coming days."
Return date: Unknown.
Martin Odegaard
Injury: Ankle.
Odegaard suffered an ankle injury during a 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.
Reports last week suggested he suffered a setback which would delay his return but that is not thought to be true. Odegaard could be fit in November.
What Mikel Arteta said: "Martin is very difficult, I expected still with the boot and a lot of things and he’s working so hard and is feeling good and is pushing it so it’s difficult to give a timeline."
What Martin Odegaard said: [Speaking earlier this month] "In the last week or so I’ve made really good progress. I’m getting better and better by the day and feel it’s going well. When you feel like things are moving forward, it gives you motivation to do more and more and work harder."
What Stale Solbakken [Norway manager] said:"There is great progress in relation to pain and injury, but he is a long way from playing matches. I don’t think anyone knows [his return date], and I don’t think he knows it himself either."
Return date: November.
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 Mikel Arteta said: "We had to modify training for a lot of players. We’ve done the same today because of the load that they had, so it’s a decision to make this afternoon, whether to involve them, yes or no. They are close."
Return date: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League – October 19.
Ben White
Injury: Knee.
White was also absent from the matchday squad to face Southampton, forcing Arsenal to deploy Thomas Partey as a makeshift right-back. The defender has not featured since being sent on as a half-time substitute in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City last month, following a knee issue.
What Mikel Arteta said: "We had to modify training for a lot of players. We’ve done the same today because of the load that they had, so it’s a decision to make this afternoon, whether to involve them, yes or no. They are close."
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 Mikel Arteta said: "Alex probably after the international break if everything goes well. He’s progressing really well."
Return date: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League – October 19.
Kieran Tierney
Injury: Hamstring.
Tierney remains out of action after suffering a horrible hamstring injury for Scotland at Euro 2024. He is yet to return to training having been expected to leave the club over the summer.
What Mikel Arteta said in August: "He needs to focus on recovering in the best possible way, 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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