Gyokeres, Merino, Saka – Arsenal injury news and return dates after Athletic Club win

After Arsenal got their Champions League campaign off to the perfect start with a win over Athletic Club, Football London takes a look at the club’s injury news

Viktor Gyokeres suffered a nasty-looking head injury against Athletic Club during Arsenal’s Champions League opener on

Arsenal supporters would have had their head in their hands when Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino suffered injuries against Athletic Club.

Similarly to last season, the injuries are quickly piling up for Mikel Arteta’s side. The 2-0 victory over the Spanish side was nerve-wracking in more ways than one for the Gunners.

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard’s stunning interventions from the bench, which saw both players contribute a goal and an assist, ensured the Gunners got their Champions League campaign off to the perfect start. It was a strong display considering the Gunners were without star player Bukayo Saka, club captain Martin Odegaard and other experienced stars like Gabriel Jesus and Ben White.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta hoping to prove Sir Alex Ferguson right as Arsenal title reality becomes clear

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After the triumph away to Athletic, football.london provides a brief summary of Arsenal’s current injury news.

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Viktor Gyokeres

Gunners fans would have been nervous when they saw Gyokeres clash heads with Arsenal team-mate Gabriel Magalhaes. Blood poured from the back of the Swede’s head, prompting a thick bandage to be applied.

The summer signing carried on playing until the 65th minute when he was substituted for Leandro Trossard. With Jesus and Kai Havertz also injured, Gyokeres is Arsenal’s only natural striker. But Arteta made it clear Gyokeres’ substitution was a tactical one and not as a result of injury.

What Arteta has said: “It was because we wanted to change certain things. He’s played a lot of minutes as well, my feeling was we needed fresh men.

“I think they had very clear references, especially when we were in ball possession and Leo brings something very, very different to that, Martinelli as well, because the game was really starting to open up, they had a really high line in certain moments and hopefully we could exploit it.”

Expected return date: Sunday, September 21 vs Manchester City.

Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino suffered his own bloody clash of heads with Athletic defender Unai Gomes. The Arsenal midfielder has become a pivotal part of Arteta’s squad, particularly when it comes to filling in at centre-forward.

What Arteta has said: “I think they are good. I haven’t spoken to them but I think they’re all good.”

Expected return date:Sunday, September 21 vs Manchester City.

Bukayo Saka

When it comes to Saka’s muscle injury, the picture is still unknown, with the England international expected to remain on the side-lines.

What Arteta has said: “Bukayo’s out and he’s trying to get back as quickly as possible, but we need to respect that process. Let’s see, he’s evolving really well, with very specific work at the moment. The moment that we increase that load, let’s see how he reacts.”

Expected return date: Unknown.

William Saliba

The sight of Saliba flying out to the Basque region of Spain and watching the match from the bench would have been a tonic for Arsenal fans. The Frenchman had been out injured after picking up an ankle injury against Liverpool, but his place in the squad suggests he is close to full fitness.

Whether he is fit enough to start remains to be seen. If he is not back to 100% fitness and sharpness, Arteta may continue to use Cristhian Mosquera who has been impressive in the back four.

What Arteta has said: “He trained yesterday, and he did the whole session, and he was OK. I spoke to him afterwards, and he said, ‘I think I need a few more days’. The turnaround has been too quick for the extent of the injury. When a player says that, don’t push it, and I think Mosquera was very, very good.”

Expected return date: Sunday, September 21 vs Manchester City.

Christian Norgaard

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The Dane’s injury-hit start to life at Arsenal also appears to be over after he made his first competitive appearance of the season for the Gunners from the bench. A knee injury had kept him out for his first few matches, but his appearance in Bilbao suggests he is now free from those issues.

What Arteta has said: “The finishers are going to be more important this season than the starters…I’m very pleased to see that. And Piero comes in and plays six minutes, the best six minutes he’s played. Christian is the same, and that’s the attitude that we need from all of us.”

Expected return date:Sunday, September 21 vs Manchester City.

Ben White

football.london learned White suffered an injury set-back before the clash against Athletic with what was described as a minor injury.

What Arteta has said: “No. So, Gabi [Jesus], Kai [Havertz], Ben [White] and Martin [Odegaard] are still out, unfortunately.”

Expected return date: Sunday, September 21 vs Manchester City.

Martin Odegaard

Odegaard was left at home after injuring his shoulder in the victory over Nottingham Forest. Initially, Arteta was hopeful the Norwegian would feature against Athletic, but went on to reveal he was left at home.

What Arteta has said: “No, I don’t think that [Odegaard needs surgery]. I’m not an expert, but they weren’t concerned at that level at all. The last time in a few days, he was able to manage the pain, especially as the injury wasn’t that bad. I don’t know the extent of two days, but hopefully, hopefully.”

Expected return date: Sunday, September 21 vs Manchester City.

Kai Havertz

Havertz remains a long-term absentee after undergoing surgery on his knee in August. A return date is unclear, but Arteta was confident before the Forest game.

What Arteta has 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.”

Expected return date: Saturday, November 22 vs Tottenham.

Gabriel Jesus