Saka, Odegaard, Hincapie – Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Port Vale

Latest Arsenal injury news as Bukayo Saka returns to action against Manchester City in a huge boost for Mikel Arteta

Bukayo Saka is back from his muscle injury

Arsenal were handed a much-needed boost on Sunday with Bukayo Saka returning from injury in the 1-1 Premier League draw against Manchester City.

Gabriel Martinelli scored an injury-time leveller off the bench after Erling Haaland had put City ahead. It means Mikel Arteta’s men are now five points behind league leaders Liverpool after five games.

However, the good news was the return of Saka. The Gunners winger had missed the last three games after suffering a muscle problem in the 5-0 win over Leeds United.

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Bukayo Saka

Saka was a surprise inclusion in the matchday squad at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday after missing the last three games. He came on at half-time for Eberechi Eze and looked absolutely fine.

It’s expected that he will sit out of the trip to the League Two side on Wednesday night.

Asked when he made a decision on returning Saka to the squad, he said: “Yesterday (Saturday), because Martin Odegaard wasn’t fit enough to be here and Piere [Hincapie] as well, he’s out of the squad.

“Thankfully we got Bukayo back and Ben as well, so really good.”

Potential return date: Returned but could be rested vs Port Vale

Martin Odegaard

Odegaard missed the game in Bilbao last week and yesterday’s draw due to a shoulder injury. It’s not clear when he will return but he could be back in the squad for the trip to Newcastle.

Speaking to Sky Sports before the clash with City, Arteta confirmed that his captain wasn’t fit enough to be named in the squad at the Emirates Stadium. “Martin Odegaard wasn’t fit enough to be here and Piere [Hincapie] as well, he’s out of the squad.”

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Potential return date: Newcastle (A) – Sunday, September 28

Ben White

After missing the last two games, White returned to the squad against City on the bench. He didn’t come on but his presence on the bench will be a boost for Arteta.

White could be used in some capacity at Vale Park on Wednesday.

Potential return date: Port Vale (A) – Wednesday, September 24

William Saliba

Saliba had missed the win over Nottingham Forest and was named on the bench against Athletic Club. Against City, he came into the defence for Cristhian Mosquera and played the entire 90 minutes.

Potential return date: Returned.

Piero Hincapie

The summer signing had seemed OK when he came on as a late sub in Bilbao on Tuesday night but he was left out of the squad against City.

Arteta namechecked him when discussing Odegaard and Saka, claiming he wasn’t fit enough. “Martin Odegaard wasn’t fit enough to be here and Piere [Hincapie] as well, he’s out of the squad,” he said.

Potential return date: Port Vale (A) – Wednesday, September 24

Kai Havertz

Havertz is a long-term absentee after undergoing surgery and isn’t expected to return until at least November. Speaking before the Forest game, Arteta said: “He’s looking really good, he’s walking freely. He’s starting to load the knee and to do some bits.

“As I said before, I think we’re taking it from weeks to months. It was a very tough decision for him to go and have that procedure done. But I think it was necessary, and it was the right decision from the medical team to persuade him to do that.”

Possible return date: November.

Gabriel Jesus

Jesus is closing in on his long-term knee injury and there is hope he returns before the end of the year.

Arteta said: “He had a major surgery – it was going to take him many, many months. After discussing with the medical staff and understanding the schedule, we thought that he could be available between December and January. Hopefully, we did it wrong, and he comes back earlier.”

Potential return date: Unknown.

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