Arsenal injury update: Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Gunners hopeful of good news on injury front ahead of some big games

Arsenal resume their title bid when they play Brentford on Thursday.

The Gunners have been hit by some fresh injuries in recent weeks but Mikel Arteta hopes some key players are closing in on returns.

Arsenal have some big games on the horizon, with the north London derby at Tottenham on February 22 and then a home game against Chelsea on March 1.

Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka missed the 3-0 win over Sunderland last weekend and a fresh injury concern emerged, while Arteta has been dealt a fresh blow in his forward line.

There has, however, been a positive update this week on Max Dowman.

Kai Havertz

Havertz returned to form almost immediately after a long hiatus with a knee problem.

The German had been out since the opening day of the season, the 1-0 win over Manchester United, but he has been dealt a further setback after suffering a muscular injury.

The forward will definitely miss the trip to Brentford on Thursday, and looks set to be sidelined for another extended period.

He is likely to sit out the north London derby, as well as the FA Cup tie against Wigan and the Premier League clash with Wolves.

Potential return date: Sunday March 1, vs Chelsea (H)

Leandro Trossard

Arsenal were dealt a new injury scare when Leandro Trossard was forced off during the win against Sunderland.

Trossard was restored to the starting line-up on Saturday as Arteta opted to make four changes from the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg win over Chelsea last week.

But his involvement came to an end shortly before the final whistle at Emirates Stadium.

Doubt: Leandro Trossard

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Trossard received treatment from the Arsenal medical staff before getting back to his feet and was then replaced by Christian Norgaard.

Arteta was coy on Trossard’s fitness when he issued an injury update ahead of the Brentford game.

“We will see with the medical team,” said the Arsenal boss.

Potential return date: Thursday February 12, vs Brentford (A)

Bukayo Saka

Disaster struck for Arsenal in the warm-up prior to the 4-0 win over Leeds as Saka was forced to pull out of the starting line-up.

It was later revealed that Saka was struggling with a hip injury that saw him miss the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg win over Chelsea and then the Sunderland game at the weekend.

In truth, Saka was always expected to sit out against Sunderland and Arteta delivered a rather promising update in the pre-match press conference.

"[Saka’s] hip is getting much better,” the Arsenal manager told reporters. “Hopefully, very soon he will be with us.”

That said, reports have claimed Saka is aiming a return to action in the north London derby at the end of the month - meaning he will likely stay sidelined for the trip to Brentford as well as the visit of League One strugglers Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round.

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

Martin Odegaard

Odegaard has been out since he came off the bench in the win over Leeds on January 31.

That issue was described as only a "niggle" but Odegaard has missed the last two matches.

Arteta was coy on Odegaard’s fitness ahead of the Brentford game.

But pushed on the Arsenal captain being out and a timeframe for his return, Arteta said: “I didn't say that”

Potential return date: Thursday February 12, vs Brentford (A)

Mikel Merino

Arsenal confirmed last week that Mikel Merino would undergo surgery on a foot injury and would be sidelined “for an extended period, with the aim of returning to full training before the end of the season”.

An update was provided by Merino’s father Miguel, who told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser: “Despite the problem, he’s accepting the situation.

Mikel Merino is targeting a return to action before the end of the season

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“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 not an injury to the toes, it’s a bit more internal.

“It’s an injury that isn’t very well documented. There are many doubts regarding his recovery.”

Merino underwent surgery this week and Arteta issued a further update ahead of the Brentford game when he said: "Doctors were really happy.

“Starting a long process, you're talking about bone healing. You need to be patient and respect the timeframe.

“We're talking about months - three, four or five we don't know."

Potential return date: Unknown

Max Dowman

Arsenal have been boosted after Arteta confirmed Dowman is closing in on a comeback.

Dowman has been out for two months with an ankle injury but the 16-year-old is on course to return soon.

Issuing a new update on Dowman, Arteta said before the Brentford game: “He's doing really well, about a week away.”