Arsenal’s injury list grows with Saliba, Saka, and Havertz out with various injuries, but there’s hope for their return in the coming weeks.
Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield was a setback for the Gunners, but the real concern lies in the injuries sustained by key players William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, and Kai Havertz. Saliba’s early substitution due to an ankle injury has raised alarm bells, and the severity of the damage is still unclear.
Mikel Arteta revealed that Saliba had twisted his ankle during the warm-up but insisted he was fit to play, only to be proven wrong within minutes of the game starting.
The French centre-back’s withdrawal from France’s squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches provides little insight into the severity of the injury. A mild sprain could keep him sidelined for two to three weeks, while more significant damage could rule him out for two to three months.
Arteta’s typically cryptic comments on Saliba’s injury status leave fans wondering when he’ll return to the pitch. In the best-case scenario, Saliba could be fit to play in Arsenal’s next Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on September 13.
Kai Havertz’s knee injury has taken a turn for the worse, requiring surgery that will keep him out for an extended period. Arteta’s estimate of “a number of weeks but I don’t know how many months” suggests Havertz won’t be back anytime soon.
Bukayo Saka’s hamstring injury will also keep him out for a few weeks, with surgery not required. Saka’s expected return could be around the match against Manchester City, following Arsenal’s game against Nottingham Forest. This timeline gives him roughly four weeks to recover and regain his fitness.
On a more positive note, right-back Ben White and midfielder Christian Nørgaard are expected to be available for the match against Nottingham Forest.
White’s absence from the Liverpool squad was precautionary, and he’s not expected to be out for an extended period. Nørgaard, meanwhile, has yet to make his competitive debut for Arsenal but should be back to full fitness following the international break.
Gabriel Jesus continues his rehabilitation from the ACL injury sustained in January. Arteta reported that Jesus has been making “very strong strides” in his recovery, but no specific target date has been set for his return. It’s likely he’ll be available again in late autumn or early winter, providing a much-needed boost to Arsenal’s attacking lineup.
