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

Gunners still battling on all four fronts after perfect week

Arsenal will hope to make it five wins in a row across all competitions when they face Brentford on Thursday night.

Mikel Arteta's side have since qualified for the last-16 of the Champions League in first place, booked a Carabao Cup final date with Manchester City and piled the pressure on their rivals in the title race.

However, Arsenal will be playing last during the latest round of Premier League fixtures, meaning they will be responding to Man City and Aston Villa's results.

Arteta could be boosted by the returns of Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka after they missed the 3-0 win over Sunderland, but a fresh injury concern has emerged ahead of the London derby.

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 Arsenal starting line-up on Saturday as Arteta opted to make four changes from the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg win over Chelsea in midweek.

However, the forward's involvement came to an end shortly before the final whistle blew at the 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.

There is yet to be an update on the 31-year-old regarding the severity of the injury, though he could be a doubt for the Brentford game.

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, with his place going to Noni Madueke.

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 the Black Cats 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 toBrentford as well as the visit of third-tier strugglers Wigan in the FA Cup fourth round.

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

Martin Odegaard

The Arsenal captain impressed off the bench at Elland Road but has not been able to follow up on his assist for Gabriel Jesus in the 4-0 win at Leeds.

A surprise absentee from the matchday squad against Chelsea, Odegaard sat out the win over Sunderland at the weekend but is nearing a return to full fitness.

“Martin again is getting better. It will be a matter of days, we believe," Arteta said in the pre-match press conference.

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”.

A further update has since been provided by Merino’s father Miguel, who told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser: “Despite the problem, he’s accepting the situation.

“Injuries never come at a good time and a player has to be prepared for whatever comes. It’s tough but we have to look on the bright side. There are much worse injuries than this one.

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.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Max Dowman

Arsenal have been without teenage sensation Max Dowman since he damaged ankle ligaments while playing in an Under-21s friendly against Manchester United at St George’s Park in December.

During his layoff, he signed a pre-agreement for a professional contract that will become official when he turns 17 in December.

“Max hasn't trained with us so it will still be a few weeks I think,” Arteta said. “But he's getting better.”