Arsenal injury latest: Bukayo Saka, Mikel Merino and more | OneFootball

Arsenal injury update and latest developments ahead of decisive run

Arsenal’s season continues to move at a relentless pace, and with it comes the familiar tension between momentum and fragility. Just as Mikel Arteta appeared to be steering his squad back towards full fitness at a crucial point of the campaign, a fresh cluster of injury concerns has disrupted the rhythm once again. The absence of key figures against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup underlined both the scale of the challenge and the resilience that has become a defining feature of this side.

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There was a sense, only weeks ago, that Arsenal were finally emerging from the injury fog that has hovered over them since autumn. A demanding fixture list across domestic and European fronts had been navigated with growing confidence, and the squad looked equipped to sustain a push across four competitions. Then came the sudden loss of Bukayo Saka and Mikel Merino before the emphatic 4-0 Premier League win at Leeds, swiftly followed by Martin Odegaard joining the treatment room.

That context makes the Carabao Cup semi-final success over Chelsea all the more telling. A 1-0 win on the night, sealed late on by Kai Havertz against his former club, completed a 4-2 aggregate victory and booked a Wembley final against either Manchester City or Newcastle on March 22. It was another reminder that Arsenal’s depth, so often questioned in previous seasons, is now a genuine weapon.

Yet the calendar offers little respite. Sunderland arrive at the Emirates Stadium this weekend as one of the league’s surprise packages, and with further league and cup commitments to come, Arsenal’s medical updates carry added significance. Here is the latest injury news, with return dates where clarity exists.

Bukayo Saka fitness concern and timeline

The absence of Bukayo Saka has been the most eye-catching development. The winger was expected to start as usual at Leeds, only to suffer a muscle issue during the warm-up. His withdrawal was late enough to force a reshuffle, with Noni Madueke drafted in at Elland Road.

Arteta initially described the problem as a “little niggle” and admitted uncertainty over its severity. Subsequent scans, however, brought reassurance, with the manager confirming on Monday that the injury was not serious. Despite that, Saka was unable to recover in time to face Chelsea and remained sidelined for the second leg.

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Reports since have suggested a cautious approach, with the north London derby away to Tottenham on February 22 emerging as a realistic target. That would rule him out of league fixtures against Sunderland and Brentford, as well as the FA Cup fourth-round tie at home to Wigan.

Speaking ahead of the Chelsea game, Arteta told Sky Sports: “He’s okay, we need to have more tests tomorrow to understand how he is. This game was too short. Let’s hope that it’s not too much.”

Potential return date: Sunday February 22, vs Tottenham (A)

Martin Odegaard availability boost awaited

Captain Martin Odegaard has endured a slightly different path into the injury conversation. He was named on the bench at Leeds, a notable decision given his status, with Havertz preferred in midfield. When introduced, Odegaard made a sharp impact, providing a late assist for Gabriel Jesus and hinting at a return to form.

That cameo made his complete absence against Chelsea all the more surprising. Arteta explained that the midfielder felt discomfort during the Leeds match and was unable to shake it off in training.

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“During the game [against Leeds], he felt a little niggle,” Arteta said. “We tried yesterday, he wasn’t comfortable. So let’s see if he’s available for the weekend, hopefully.”

The tone of that update suggested optimism rather than alarm, and Odegaard remains a strong candidate to return against Sunderland if training progresses as planned.

Potential return date: Saturday February 7, vs Sunderland (H)

Mikel Merino setback and long recovery road

The situation surrounding Mikel Merino is more serious and potentially more disruptive. The midfielder missed a recent Champions League dead rubber through suspension, but his absence from training either side of that match hinted at a deeper issue. He was not involved at Leeds, prompting further concern.

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Arteta later confirmed that Merino had suffered a bone injury in his right foot, requiring specialist assessment. Arsenal then announced that surgery would be necessary, with an extended period on the sidelines expected and a hope of returning to full training before the end of the season.

“He needs to go through a procedure, which is not always positive,” Arteta said before facing Chelsea. “He’s a big player for us, a player that has such versatility and capacity to compete in various positions, and that’s a big blow.

“It’s a very rare injury so we have to wait and see once we have the surgery, how that reacts daily.”

Further insight came from Merino’s father Miguel, speaking to Cadena Ser, who acknowledged the uncertainty around recovery.

“Despite the problem, he’s accepting the situation,” he said. “There’s uncertainty because the recovery time isn’t well understood as there’s no history of this type of injury. It’s a stress fracture. It’s an injury that isn’t very well documented. There are many doubts regarding his recovery.”

Arteta had hinted that Merino’s absence might prompt late transfer activity, but deadline day passed without reinforcement.

Potential return date: Unknown

Max Dowman recovery progressing carefully

Teenage prospect Max Dowman remains on the sidelines after damaging ankle ligaments in an Under-21s friendly against Manchester United at St George’s Park last month. The setback came during a period of rapid progress for the youngster, who has since agreed a pre-contract that will become official when he turns 17 in December.

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Initial reports pointed to a two-month absence, a timeline that would bring him back into contention during February. Arteta’s most recent update offered cautious encouragement, while stressing the need for patience.

“It will be a little bit more than [Cristhian] Mosquera’s,” Arteta said. “Obviously, he’s growing, and we need to be very careful and a little bit more protective.

“He’s on the pitch now, he’s doing well and hopefully we’re going to be able to see him soon.”

Potential return date: February

Arsenal’s ability to absorb these blows, as demonstrated against Chelsea, continues to define their season. The coming weeks will test that resilience again, with injury management now as critical as tactics in determining how far this campaign can ultimately go.