Arsenal injury update: Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Gunners dealt fresh fitness concern ahead of big week

Arsenal must quickly refocus after being frustrated at Nottingham Forest

The Gunners failed to capitalise on Manchester City losing at Old Trafford as they were held to a 0-0 at the City Ground on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta’s side had the chance to extend their lead at the top to nine points but it is now back-to-back goalless draws in the Premier League.

Arsenal have been boosted by the return of some key players in recent weeks but Arteta has a major fitness concern over Bukayo Saka ahead of two big games this week.

The Gunners are away at Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday before hosting a resurgent Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Bukayo Saka

Saka started on the bench at Nottingham Forest and Arteta revealed after the game that the winger has been struggling with a fitness issue.

In a potential concern for Arsenal ahead of a big week, Arteta said Saka “had a niggle”.

Arteta said last week that he wanted to “protect” Saka in order to get the best out of him and has also said Arsenal “have to be very smart” with their talisman.

Bukayo Saka has been struggling with a fitness issue

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Saka did come on on as a second-half substitute at the City Ground and almost secured three points when his header forced Forest keeper Matz Sels into an excellent save.

Speaking after the Forest game, Arteta said: “Bukayo had a lot of minutes and he had a niggle before the game so we need to manage our players.”

With Arsenal already assured of automatic qualification to the knockout stage of the Champions League after six wins from six in Europe, it remains to be seen if Arsenal take an opportunity to rest Saka ahead of a huge game against Manchester United this weekend.

Potential return date: Tuesday, January 20 vs Inter Milan (A) or Sunday, January 25 vs Manchester United (H)

Riccardo Calafiori

Riccardo Calafiori has been sidelined since pulling up in the warm-up before the win against Brighton just after Christmas.

The left-sided defender has now missed seven games with a muscle injury.

Arteta said last week that Calafiori was “progressing” and that he hoped to have him back “soon”.

Riccardo Calafiori has now missed seven games

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

But it is unclear when Calafiori could return..

Speaking ahead of the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea last week, Arteta said: "He's progressing but we don't know. A few weeks probably but we don't know exactly yet.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Piero Hincapie

Piero Hincapie was forced off in the 0-0 draw against Liverpool on January 8.

It has emerged that Hincapie suffered a groin injury and he has missed games against Portsmouth, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.

It is unclear when Hincapie could return as Arteta has remained tight-tipped on recovery.

Potential return date: Unknown

Max Dowman

Max Dowman has been out since suffering an ankle ligament injury in a behind-closed-doors game against Manchester United before Christmas.

The 16-year-old was ruled out for two months and has been removed from Arsenal’s Champions League squad as a result.

Arteta confirmed recently that Dowman was still “a few weeks away”.