Gunners handed fresh injury concern in Carabao Cup

 

 

Gabriel Martinelli, Max Dowman and William Saliba

 

 

Arsenal marched into the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday evening, but may have picked up a fresh injury concern in the process.

 

A much-changed Gunners side rallied to respond to a below-par first-half performance – that saw them fail to register a single shot on target and give up a number of chances – with goals from Ethan Nwaneri and Bukayo Saka after the break in a 2-0 victory.

 

Max Dowman became the youngest player ever to start a first-team match for Arsenal, but was pictured after the game with ice straped to his leg.

 

While perhaps unlikely that either would have played on Wednesday, William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli have been sidelined with injury after knocks in the win over Crystal Palace.

 

With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Arsenal injury news.

 

 

Max Dowman

 

Max Dowman produced another performance beyond his years on Wednesday, stealing the headlines in the Carabao Cup last-16 tie against Brighton when making his first start in senior football aged just 15 years and 302 days.

 

The teenager – who recently agreed scholarship terms with Arsenal – received a standing ovation from an adoring Emirates Stadium crowd and a warm embrace from Arteta as he was replaced by Saka with just under 20 minutes to play.

 

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But did then prompt slight injury fears when seen with ice strapped to his left thigh as he walked around the pitch following the 2-0 win. Arsenal boss Arteta was not asked about any potential injury after a game in which the player was fouled plenty as the visitors tried to negate his obvious threat.

 

Potential return date: Burnley (a) on Saturday, November 1, 2025

 

William Saliba

 

While it was centre-back partner Gabriel whose fitness was under question ahead of the game, Saliba ended the day with a fitness concern of his own.

 

Saliba started alongside Gabriel on Sunday afternoon but was replaced at half-time, despite showing few signs of discomfort.

 

After the game, Arteta confirmed the issue but was unable to elaborate further. He told reporters: “Willy obviously had to be out after the first half … there are two things related to his substitution.”

 

Issuing an update on Tuesday, Arteta confirmed that Saliba had been ruled out of the home clash against Brighton in the Carabao Cup, and the club were “assessing him.”

 

Potential return date: Unknown

 

 

Forced off: Declan Rice

Declan Rice

 

Shortly afterwards, Declan Rice had to be withdrawn during the second half after picking up a knock.

 

As Mikel Arteta was organising other substitutes at the time, the head coach was forced into a quick change and introduced Mikel Merino.

 

Speaking after the game, Arteta said: “Declan as well was struggling from the first half with a knock that he took … with Declan, I don’t really know because it was a knock.

 

“But I don’t know if it was the calf or the Achilles or what exactly it was.”

 

Rice was able to walk onto the pitch at full-time to celebrate the victory, and Arteta confirmed on Tuesday that the midfielder was “available” to face Brighton if required.

 

Potential return date: Burnley (a) on Saturday, November 1, 2025

 

Riccardo Calafiori

 

Riccardo Calafiori was another forced off during the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, coming off at the same time as Rice, after picking up a knock.

 

Arteta has little to say on the matter after the game, beyond acknowledging the late substitution, and confirmed on Tuesday that he was available for the Carabao Cup clash the following day.

 

Potential return date: Burnley (a) on Saturday, November 1, 2025

 

Gabriel Martinelli

 

Gabriel Martinelli replaced Bukayo Saka on 66 minutes and saw out the victory, but was spotted hobbling down the tunnel after the game.

 

Asked by reporters if Martinelli was OK, Arteta said: “Yeah, I think so.

 

“We have to check that one. He was a bit uncomfortable. He said he felt something. We don’t know whether it’s a muscular issue or not. Tomorrow we’ll have more news.”

 

However, when asked for an update on Tuesday, Arteta confirmed Martinelli had picked up an injury which ruled him out of the visitof Brighton, and was unsure over the extent of the injury.

 

He told reporters: “It looks as well that he is going to be out. We have to, again, do some more tests and see the extent of the injury. But this game is going to be too early for him.”

 

Potential return date: Unknown

 

 

Sidelined: Martin Odegaard

 

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Martin Odegaard

 

Odegaard has had no luck with injuries so far this season. After making a full recovery from a troublesome shoulder problem, disaster struck for the Arsenal captain against West Ham.

 

Substituted once again in the first half, it was later confirmed by the club that the midfielder suffered a medial collateral ligament injury.

 

Odegaard, himself, has revealed why a return date can’t be set at the moment.

 

“It’s tricky to set a return date with this type of injury because, especially it being my left leg, a lot depends on how it goes when I start getting back on the pitch,” he said.

 

“Sometimes it can be quite sore when you start passing the ball and shooting and all these things with that leg, so it’s really hard to say a date.

 

“All I can say is I’m progressing really well at the moment. I think we will know more when I start getting back on the training pitches and we’ll see how that goes. If that goes really well then it can be quick.”

 

Potential return date: November 23, 2025 vs Tottenham (H)

 

Noni Madueke

 

The summer signing from Chelsea was enjoying an impressive start to life at Arsenal, but suffered a setback in the draw against Manchester City.

 

Withdrawn at half-time because of a knee complaint, fortunately scans the next day showed Noni Madueke had not suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

 

While the injury is not too serious, Arteta has said he expects to be without the winger for a number of weeks.

 

 

Sidelined: Noni Madueke

 

 

“It looks like he is going to be out for a few weeks,” the Gunners manager told reporters. “We don’t really know yet. Probably we are going to have to scan him next week again.

 

“He felt something at the beginning of the match. He tried to carry on and at half-time it was too sore, so let’s see.”

 

Potential return date: November 2025

 

Kai Havertz

 

Kai Havertz has not featured for Arsenal since a second half substitute appearance in the win over Manchester United on the opening weekend of the new season.

 

After complaining of discomfort in his knee, the German international required minor surgery to correct the issue.

 

The club have been optimistic that Havertz would be sidelined for a period of weeks rather than months, with Arteta saying “many, many weeks” in his last update before the defeat at Liverpool back in August.

 

If all goes to plan, Arsenal’s No29 could be available for selection again before the next international break.

 

Potential return date: November 2025

 

Gabriel Jesus

 

Gabriel Jesus last featured for Arsenal in January’s FA Cup third round loss to Man United on penalties.

 

The Brazilian has struggled with knee issues throughout his stint in N5, and was forced to undergo yet another surgery on a torn cruciate ligament.

 

Jesus has been keeping supporters updated regarding his progress throughout the summer, posting footage of himself back on grass in a significant update.

 

The Brazilian recently said: “Yeah, I’m feeling great, man. My knee’s responding very well. So now I’m looking forward to being around the team again soon, to come back to do what I love to do. It’s been too long.

 

“An injury like this, one that is so long, you split up the recovery periods into smaller timings. So now I’m at the stage where I need to hold myself back a little bit, because I’m doing great work outside on the pitches, but it’s tricky because I need to not rush myself too hard over the line.

 

“When you can see the end, it’s important you don’t push too hard, keep my feet on the floor, and then as soon as the time comes, I will be ready.”

 

Potential return date: Late 2025