Arsenal dealt triple injury blow ahead of Nottingham Forest clash | OneFootball

Arsenal Injuries: Saliba, Saka and Havertz Facing Uncertain Timelines

As Arsenal prepare to resume their Premier League campaign, the conversation is dominated not by tactics or form but by the injury list stretching across Mikel Arteta’s squad. The Gunners head into September carrying significant fitness concerns, a burden that could shape their season.

Key players struggling for fitness

William Saliba’s setback at Anfield epitomised the fragility of Arsenal’s current situation. The defender twisted his ankle in the warm-up before attempting to play through the pain. He lasted only five minutes before giving way to Cristhian Mosquera, forcing a reshuffle at the heart of defence. Reports in France suggested Saliba may miss three to four weeks, raising the prospect of him sitting out clashes against Manchester City, Newcastle, Olympiacos and West Ham. Arteta admitted uncertainty over the issue, praising Mosquera’s composure but conceding: “We don’t know the severity yet.”

Bukayo Saka remains another source of concern. The winger suffered a fresh hamstring problem against Leeds, this time in his left leg, though he avoided the surgery that cost him three months last winter. Arteta admitted that these repeated strains are troubling: “He will miss a few weeks.” The hope is he may recover in time for the home meeting with City, though that remains finely balanced.

Havertz absence adds to attacking concerns

Kai Havertz’s knee problem further complicates matters. Having undergone minor surgery, he faces what Arteta described as “many, many weeks” on the sidelines. Havertz endured a disrupted campaign last season with a serious hamstring tear, and Arsenal will be desperate not to see history repeat itself. A potential return in November seems the most realistic scenario.

Mixed news elsewhere

There are glimmers of encouragement. Captain Martin Ødegaard returned at Anfield after a shoulder complaint and featured for Norway during the international break. Ben White, who missed recent games with a knock, is pushing to feature against Nottingham Forest this weekend. Meanwhile, Christian Nørgaard and Gabriel Jesus remain longer-term absentees, though the Brazilian striker is making progress following cruciate ligament surgery in January.

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Crucial weeks ahead

Arsenal’s schedule offers little respite. Forest, City and Newcastle loom in the league, with a Champions League opener away at Athletic Club on the horizon. These are fixtures where momentum is forged or lost. Arteta will be hoping his squad can withstand the weight of injuries long enough for reinforcements to return.