Arsenal injury update: Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Odegaard and Ben White latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Two fresh concerns after William Saliba was a surprise returnee

Arsenal were boosted by the return from injury of William Saliba at the weekend, but picked up two fresh worries in defence.

The double setback comes after captain Martin Odegaard picked up a fresh injury concern, and Kai Havertz was ruled out for a few weeks.

There is, though, better news about youngster Max Dowman.

With that in mind, here’s the latest Arsenal injury news and potential return dates...

Riccardo Calafiori

REUTERS

Riccardo Calafiori

Arsenal were forced into a late reshuffle ahead of their FA Cup win over Wigan as Riccardo Calafiori dropped out of the starting line-up.

Calafiori had been set to start at left-back against the League One side, but was minutes before kick-off replaced by Bukayo Saka in the starting line-up.

Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “Yeah, him and Ben [White] are the only doubts. We have to wait and see in the next 48 hours how things develop.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Ben White

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Ben White

Ben White started and impressed against Wigan on a rare start, but went down with 10 minutes remaining and was unable to continue.

White was spotted soon after being substituted, sitting next to his team-mates on the bench, suggesting there were no serious concerns, and then talking to Mikel Arteta after the game.

Speaking to reporters soon after, his manager appeared less sure about White’s fitness, as detailed above.

But White, later in the evening, issued an update of his own, celebrating the win over Wigan on Instagram along with the simple message: “No injuries.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Martin Odegaard

Getty Images

Martin Odegaard

Martin Odegaard has played down concerns over the knee injury he picked up during Arsenal's 1-1 draw against Brentford.

Gunners captain Odegaard completed 90 minutes at Gtech Community Stadium but was seen limping afterwards, and subsequently missed the 4-0 win over Wigan on Sunday..

Writing in Arsenal’s matchday programme ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round game, Odegaard said: "I picked up a bit of an injury when they [Brentford] scored their goal, but hopefully it’s not too bad. We’ll see how it goes in the build-up to today's game and over the next few days.

“I tried to clear the ball as it came down, but instead kicked into the player a bit, and ended up over-stretching my leg, which pinched the knee. I was able to carry on, but on Friday morning it was very sore, so I was worried of course, but thankfully it looks like it’s not too bad."

Arteta issued an update of his own after the game, adding: "With Martin, we'll have to wait and see. He picked that knock on the action when we conceded the goal and he wasn't fit for today."

Potential return date: Unknown

Kai Havertz

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz has been forced to spend another spell on the sidelines after picking up a muscular problem.

The forward has only recently returned from a serious knee injury, and looked to be finding his rhythm again after two goals and two assists in his last four outings.

But Havertz picked up an issue against Sunderland earlier this month, and has been ruled out for a few weeks.

Speaking at the time, Arteta said: "After the game we played against Sunderland, Kai felt a little niggle, so we need to wait and see how long he will be out."

Havertz has since missed the draw at Brentford and win over Wigan, and is expected to miss games against Wolves and Tottenham this week.

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

Mikel Merino

Instagram/Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino is in race to play again this season after undergoing surgery on a foot injury.

Confirming the timeline, Arsenal said in a statement earlier in February that Merino has been ruled out 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.

“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.”

Arteta issued a further update last weekend, before the Brentford draw, 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: June 2026

Max Dowman

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

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.”