The latest Arsenal injury news ahead of Sevilla visiting the Gunners in the Champions League, amid boss Mikel Arteta offering an update on the fitness of Martin Odegaard.
Sevilla head to Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night pursuing revenge for Arsenal’s 2-1 win at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus on either side of the break were enough for the points despite Nemanja Gudelj replying in their Group B tie.
Arsenal also moved atop their table with the win over Sevilla. But they only edge RC Lens by a single point after losing 2-1 at the Ligue 1 side last month. Sevilla sit a further three points back level with PSV Eindhoven, with both sides yet to win a Champions League tie this term.
Arsenal injury list ahead of hosting Sevilla
A second win over Sevilla can book Arsenal a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League already. The Gunners need to pip the La Liga side at Emirates Stadium and see Lens beat PSV. The results would give Arteta’s squad a seven-point lead with six points to play for.
But Arteta will welcome Diego Alonso’s side to north London with Arsenal facing six players missing the Champions League tie due to injury. So, ahead of Sevilla visiting the Gunners for the first time since a 3-0 defeat in September 2007, here is Arsenal’s current injury situation.
Martin Odegaard injury latest
Arteta admitted ahead of Arsenal hosting Sevilla that Odegaard remained a doubt to feature due to an injury. The Gunners captain had sat out their controversial 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United after failing a fitness test. He was also an unused substitute against Sheffield United.
Odegaard initially returned from the knock he sustained at Sevilla to feature from the bench in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup exit to West Ham United. The 24-year-old also scored his fifth goal in 15 games this season at London Stadium. But Odegaard had failed to shake the hip injury.
“With Martin, it’s still uncertain,” Arteta told his pre-match press conference of the Arsenal captain featuring against Sevilla. “Martin loves to play for his country and every time that he’s been called up and been fit, he’s been there. And he will be there if that’s the case.”
Expected return: Sevilla (November 8)
Eddie Nketiah injury latest
Arsenal will put Eddie Nketiah through a late fitness test before facing Sevilla on Wednesday night, per Simon Collings. The 24-year-old is a doubt for their Champions League clash after picking up a knock at Newcastle. The issue kept Nketiah from training on Tuesday afternoon.
Arteta took Nketiah off after 79 minutes at St James’ Park with Leandro Trossard taking over their centre-forward role. The England striker had scored a hat-trick against Sheffield United in his previous league outing. It took Nketiah to five goals through 16 games so far this term.
Expected return: Sevilla (November 8)
Emile Smith Rowe injury latest
Sevilla will meet a depleted Arsenal midfield when they visit north London with Emile Smith Rowe absent through injury. The Mirror reports that the 23-year-old faces one month on the sidelines with his knee problem. He suffered the blow after starting against Sheffield United.
Smith Rowe opened the action at home to the Blades for his first start in the Premier League this season. He also laid on one assist during the Gunners’ 5-0 win for his first and only goal involvement so far this term. It further marked only his eighth outing to reach 230 minutes.
Expected return: RC Lens (November 29)
Gabriel Jesus injury latest
Arsenal are again without Jesus after their star striker sustained another injury during a very frustrating year for the Brazilian. The 26-year-old is currently working away from the rest of Arteta’s squad at London Colney as he recovers from a hamstring injury picked up at Sevilla.
The issue followed Jesus missing the start of the season after requiring a minor operation on his knee. It was also the same knee that he needed surgery on last December after suffering medial collateral ligament damage at the World Cup. He has only featured 24 times in 2023.
Arteta faces waiting until December before he can recall Jesus from the Arsenal star’s injury. The Sun claims that the striker’s camp are targeting a return to fitness next month. Arteta is also loath to rushing Jesus back too soon after he returned sooner than expected in August.
Expected return: Wolves (December 2)
Thomas Partey injury latest
Arsenal may have already seen Thomas Partey play his final game of the year amid fears for the Ghanaian’s thigh injury. The Mirror suggests that the Gunners fear the midfielder will be sidelined until the New Year due to the issue he sustained during training at London Colney.
Arteta lost Partey to a muscular injury a day before Arsenal visited Sevilla in the Champions League. He developed the blow in training after serving as just an unused substitute in their 2-2 draw at Chelsea. Partey had only just returned from an injury earlier in October, as well.
Partey sat out six games after developing a mix of a groin and thigh injury against Fulham in August. He later returned to play the final 15 minutes of Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Manchester City. He also featured with Ghana in the October international break to build up his minutes.
Expected return: January 2024
Jurrien Timber injury latest
The wait for Jurrien Timber to return from his ACL injury rolls on at Arsenal ahead of Sevilla visiting north London. Arteta lost his star summer signing on his Premier League debut after the defender underwent surgery following their opening day win against Nottingham Forest.
Timber is likely to miss most of the 2023/24 season while he recovers at London Colney. But Arsenal refuse to put a timeframe on Timber’s return, despite him walking without crutches in September. The Gunners do not want to put any unneeded pressure on his rehabilitation.
Expected return: Unclear
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