Arsenal set for major injury boost ahead of Fulham clash | OneFootball

Arsenal injury update ahead of Fulham clash as key stars face fitness tests

Arsenal prepare for crucial Premier League return

Arsenal return to Premier League action this weekend looking to extend their lead at the top of the table when they travel across London to face Fulham. Their 3-1 victory over West Ham before the international break was enough to take them above Liverpool, but the win came at a cost, as captain Martin Odegaard suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for several weeks.

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Mikel Arteta’s side have been hit hard by fitness concerns this season, yet the manager will take some comfort from a largely positive international break. Declan Rice featured successfully for England, Gabriel was rested by Brazil, and Riccardo Calafiori completed full games for Italy in both World Cup qualifiers. Still, the focus now turns to a growing injury list and the recovery timelines that could shape Arsenal’s momentum through a defining stretch of fixtures.

Odegaard sidelined after fresh knee injury

Martin Odegaard’s luck with injuries has been poor this campaign. Having only recently recovered from a shoulder problem, the Norwegian midfielder was forced off again during the first half of the win against West Ham. Subsequent scans confirmed damage to his medial collateral ligament, a setback that leaves Arsenal without their most creative outlet for the foreseeable future.

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A statement from the club outlined the situation clearly: “Martin Odegaard has been withdrawn from the Norway national team for their upcoming matches against Israel and New Zealand after sustaining a medial collateral ligament injury to his left knee during the first half in Saturday’s win over West Ham United.

“Martin will continue to be assessed and treated by our medical team at Sobha Realty Training Centre during the international window, with the aim of a return to action as soon as possible.”

While the club have not provided an official timeline, it is widely expected that Odegaard will be unavailable until after the November international break. That means he will likely miss at least seven matches, including league fixtures against Tottenham, Brighton and Newcastle, as well as crucial Champions League ties.

Potential return date: November 23, 2025 vs Tottenham (H)

Hincapie returns to training after groin issue

Summer signing Piero Hincapie could provide a timely boost to Arsenal’s defensive ranks. Since joining from Bayer Leverkusen on Deadline Day, the Ecuadorian has made just one appearance for the Gunners after a groin injury curtailed his early involvement. The setback forced him to miss five games across all competitions and prevented him from joining Ecuador for friendlies against the USA and Mexico.

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Arteta gave an encouraging update prior to the West Ham match. “He will be available after the international break. This game came too fast,” the Spaniard said.

Hincapie has now resumed full training and is expected to feature in the squad to face Fulham. His return adds competition for places in a backline.

Potential return date: October 18, 2025 vs Fulham (A)

Madueke ruled out for several weeks

Noni Madueke’s promising start to life in North London has been interrupted by injury. The winger, who joined from Chelsea in the summer, suffered a knee issue during the 1-1 draw with Manchester City. Withdrawn at half-time, subsequent scans showed that the problem was not an ACL injury, but Arteta admitted that the player will still need time to recover.

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“It looks like he is going to be out for a few weeks,” Arteta told reporters. “We don’t really know yet. Probably we are going to have to scan him next week again. He felt something at the beginning of the match. He tried to carry on and at half-time it was too sore, so let’s see.”

Madueke’s pace and directness had offered a new attacking dimension for Arsenal, and his absence leaves Arteta with a headache on the right flank. With Bukayo Saka already carrying a heavy workload, the manager may need to adjust tactically in the coming weeks.

Potential return date: November 2025

Havertz and Jesus continue long-term recoveries

Kai Havertz remains sidelined after undergoing minor knee surgery earlier in the season. The German international last featured as a substitute in the win over Manchester United and has since been completing individual training work at London Colney. Arteta previously described his recovery period as “many, many weeks”, but the expectation is that he could rejoin the squad before the next international break.

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Potential return date: November 2025

Gabriel Jesus, meanwhile, is progressing steadily following a cruciate ligament injury sustained during the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United in January. The Brazilian forward has battled repeated knee problems since his arrival at the Emirates, but encouraging signs emerged over the summer as he resumed light training and began running on grass again.

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Arteta expressed cautious optimism: “Gabi is doing super well. I think he looks in a really good place. Obviously, it’s a massive injury, and we need to come from that in a really strong way, but certainly he’s in the right place and making very strong strides.”

While no exact date has been set, late 2025 appears the realistic target for his return. His comeback could coincide with the busy festive period, offering Arsenal another attacking option in the final third.

Potential return date: Late 2025

Arsenal’s depth to be tested

Arteta now faces the challenge of managing his squad carefully through an intense schedule that includes league, European and domestic cup fixtures. Injuries have already disrupted his tactical plans, but the depth assembled during recent transfer windows offers reassurance. The availability of players like Rice, Gabriel and Calafiori provides a platform to maintain consistency even without key figures.

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Odegaard’s absence will undoubtedly be felt most, both in leadership and creativity, yet Arsenal’s response to adversity will define their title credentials. Fulham away presents the first test of that resilience. If Hincapie’s return can strengthen the defence and others continue to recover on schedule, the Gunners’ position at the top of the Premier League could remain intact through the challenging weeks ahead.