Arsenal Injury Update: David Raya, Martin Ødegaard, and Ricardo Calafiori – Latest News and Return Dates
Arsenal Injury Update: David Raya, Martin Ødegaard, and Ricardo Calafiori – Latest News and Return Dates
Arsenal might be without several first-team players in their upcoming match against Bolton. Mikel Arteta is facing an increasing number of injury concerns as the games keep coming thick and fast for Arsenal.
The Gunners had to settle for a single point against Manchester City on Sunday, conceding a last-minute equalizer after playing over 45 minutes with 10 men. Their defensive efforts may have come at a cost. Arteta’s team was already missing key players like Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Oleksandr Zinchenko. On top of that, more changes were forced during the match.
Both Ricardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber had to be substituted in the second half, with Myles Lewis-Skelly ending the game as a left-back. It also looked like David Raya was struggling with a knee issue.
Since then, Arteta has suggested that one of his players may have suffered a “serious” injury against City, adding to an already significant list of absentees.
Here’s the latest injury update for Arsenal:
David Raya
Raya has been one of Arsenal’s best players so far this season. However, there’s concern over his fitness ahead of the midweek Carabao Cup tie against Bolton.
The goalkeeper was seen limping with a bandage on his knee as he left the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, raising fears that he might have picked up an injury during the dramatic draw with City.
Speaking in a press conference before Bolton’s visit to the Emirates on Wednesday night, Arteta confirmed that a late decision will be made on Raya’s availability, suggesting the Spaniard’s participation is still in doubt.
He said: “We’ll see how they are today. We’ll try to make a call if we think it’s possible.”
*Possible return date:* Wednesday, September 25, vs. Bolton.
Martin Ødegaard
Arsenal continues to be without Ødegaard after he suffered a “significant” ankle injury earlier this month. He was forced off while on international duty with Norway against Austria after landing awkwardly on his left ankle. He was later pictured on crutches when he returned to London.
Speaking on Tuesday, Arteta provided a rough timeline for the first time.
He said: “I think it will take weeks. How many exactly, I can’t tell you.”
When pressed about whether Ødegaard could return before next month’s international break, the Arsenal boss admitted that it would be “a surprise.”
Ricardo Calafiori
Calafiori has had his share of injury problems since joining in the summer, missing the North London derby after a bizarre clash with Ousmane Dembélé during the international break.
The Italian has since returned and made his Arsenal debut against City, even scoring a stunning equalizer to mark the occasion as he shone in the left-back position.
Calafiori went down in the second half and had to be replaced, but Arteta suggested that this was because the defender wasn’t fully match-fit yet.
He said about Calafiori and Timber: “They haven’t played 90 minutes in this context, that’s for sure, especially after what they had to do last week.”
“Everyone’s ready to help the team. We’ll find the solutions.”
Possible return date: Wednesday, September 25, vs. Bolton.
Mikel Merino
Merino continues his recovery from a shoulder injury that has delayed his Arsenal debut.
He picked up this problem in his very first training session with the club, but reports suggest Merino has been seen without a sling as he progresses towards regaining full fitness.
At the time, it was reported that the midfielder would be sidelined for two months, meaning his debut could come after the next international break at the earliest.
Possible return date: Late October 2024.
Jurrien Timber
It’s been a busy week for Timber, who has started all three matches since the international break.
The Dutchman was shifted to the right-back spot against City and played for 90 minutes until he couldn’t continue in stoppage time and was replaced by Lewis-Skelly.
However, Timber provided a positive update about his fitness after the match.
He said: “It’s been a long time since I played this many games, especially in seven days, so that’s really good.”
Possible return date: Wednesday, September 25, vs. Bolton.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
There’s been no sign of Zinchenko in an Arsenal shirt since he featured for Ukraine against the Czech Republic earlier this month.
The left-back has missed Arsenal’s last three matches due to a calf injury and was not named in the squad again against his former club, City.
It now seems unlikely he’ll return before the international break, with Arteta confirming he’ll be out for “a few weeks.”
Possible return date: Late October 2024.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Tomiyasu has yet to play a minute for Arsenal this season after suffering a knee injury during the summer.
The Japanese defender has not returned to training, and Arteta’s latest vague update suggests that a comeback is not imminent.
He said: “Right now, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when.”
“It’s a bit of a slow process in the early stages of that injury. The medical team will probably have more to say on it.”
*Possible return date:* Unknown.
Kieran Tierney
Tierney has been out since suffering a serious hamstring injury while playing for Scotland in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
As a result, the left-back was unable to secure a summer move away from Arsenal and was surprisingly included in the club’s Champions League squad despite remaining sidelined.
Arteta said last month: “He needs to focus on recovering in the best way possible. It’s been a tough time for him again with this latest injury. We have to try to support him and make sure he gets fit.”
