Arsenal injury Update: Latest on Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and More | OneFootball

Arsenal Injury Update: Odegaard, Timber and Calafiori Fitness Doubts Ahead of PSG Showdown

For all the rhythm and resilience Arsenal have demonstrated in their resurgence under Mikel Arteta, the closing weeks of this campaign are now being shaped by a familiar, frustrating adversary—injury. Just as the Gunners prepare for their most significant European test in over a decade, a fraught list of knocks, setbacks, and cautious timelines are casting shadows over their Champions League ambitions.

The first-leg defeat to PSG has left Arsenal chasing, not leading. And as the decisive second leg looms, so does the question of who will be fit enough to help write the next chapter of this team’s evolution. This is not just a test of technical or tactical mettle—it is a test of depth, patience, and availability.

Below is the latest Arsenal injury update, with subplots that echo far beyond Wednesday night in Paris.

Odegaard Offers Hope Despite Fresh Concern

There is a particular symbolism in seeing Martin Odegaard limp at full time. The Norwegian playmaker has become the heartbeat of this Arsenal side, not merely through his craft and output, but through the consistency of his presence in big games. Against Bournemouth, his assist for Declan Rice was a flicker of quality in a match that otherwise unravelled for Arsenal.

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His post-match comments were calm—“Yeah, I think it’s okay. It was just a hit, so it’s a bit sore, but it’s fine”—yet the context feels more anxious. Arteta’s own words were notably ambiguous: “I haven’t had a chance yet to speak to the doctor giving me an update on that so I don’t know.”

With the trip to Paris just days away, Odegaard remains a doubt, albeit one wrapped in optimism. The club will not risk him unless absolutely necessary, but the weight of the fixture could tip the scales.

Timber Absence Raises Further Questions

The absence of Jurrien Timber from the squad list against Bournemouth was more than just a surprise—it was a red flag. Having only recently returned to light training after a long ACL layoff, the defender was viewed as a potential secret weapon in the season’s finale.

Yet Arteta offered little assurance when asked if Timber could face PSG. “No,” he said flatly, before declining to elaborate on the injury’s severity.

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Injury timelines have always been a fluid concept under this regime, but the lack of clarity here feels deliberate. Arsenal, it seems, are keeping their cards close—likely because they’re not sure which ones they can even play.

Calafiori and Jorginho Among Possible Late Returns

Riccardo Calafiori’s first season in North London has followed an all-too-familiar pattern: promise punctuated by problems. The Italian, who has shown glimpses of why Arsenal were so eager to sign him, has been sidelined again. Arteta was more guarded than dismissive, suggesting Calafiori’s status for PSG would be monitored “in the next few days”.

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Alongside him on the maybe list is Jorginho. The veteran midfielder has battled a lung issue since mid-April—a more complicated matter than first diagnosed.

“Jorginho’s got a bit more complicated than expected,” Arteta admitted. “Thankfully, he’s fine, he’s feeling good, he’s recovering well, but it was a bit more than what we wanted.”

Photo: IMAGO

Still, neither player has been ruled out definitively, and both will be given until the last possible moment to prove their readiness.

Long-Term Absentees Underscore Arsenal’s Challenge

While the focus is understandably on the here and now, Arsenal’s injury list extends well into next season. Gabriel Magalhães underwent hamstring surgery in April and will not be seen again until August. Takehiro Tomiyasu—whose entire campaign has been reduced to a six-minute cameo—has already posted a rehabilitation update, emphasising the emotional toll of another extended absence.

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Then there’s Gabriel Jesus. A once-elite striker, now seemingly shackled by recurrent knee problems. His latest cruciate ligament injury will rule him out until at least autumn.

Havertz Still a Late-Season Wildcard

Amid the concern, there is some tentative positivity around Kai Havertz. The German, who had begun to blossom in a deeper midfield role, has been recovering from a hamstring problem sustained during Arsenal’s February training camp.

“If everything goes the way it’s going at the moment and the way it’s planned,” Arteta said, “I think he will have a chance to play a few games here in the season.”

Photo: IMAGO

That puts him in line for the home match against Newcastle on 18 May—a fixture that could yet carry significant domestic weight if the Champions League hopes fade.

Final Thoughts

Injuries rarely respect momentum, and for Arsenal, the timing could hardly be worse. This is a squad finely balanced between aspiration and exhaustion, stretching for every inch of progress while managing the fragile bodies that must carry it.

For Arteta, the puzzle remains incomplete. The strategy in Paris may hinge as much on medical clearances as tactical tweaks. In this critical moment, Arsenal’s fate may rest not in their attacking patterns or defensive structure—but in the hands of doctors, physios, and the imponderable nature of recovery.