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Mikel Arteta could be without six players for the Premier League encounter against Liverpool on Sunday, although the Arsenal head coach still hopes Martin Odegaard will be passed fit in time for the game.
The Gunners’ Premier League title bid was hampered last season by repeated injuries, and the 2025/26 campaign has started on a similar note. Kai Havertz sustained a knee injury last week, while Bukayo Saka and Odegaard had to be replaced in the win over Leeds United last Saturday.
Only one has a chance of being declared fit for Sunday’s trip to Anfield, and Arteta revealed in Friday’s press conference that there will be a late check on Odegaard.
“We don’t know yet. He hasn’t trained yet and, if he does, it will be tomorrow. Let’s see,” said the Spaniard.
“He is doing everything he can, we are doing everything that we can to make himself available - but we will have to wait and see tomorrow.
“There is an injury there, but hopefully if everything goes well, he can cope with it. But we don’t know yet.”
Arteta also confirmed that Saka will miss the game but said the hamstring injury he sustained last week is not as serious as first feared.
The winger could be replaced in the team by Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, or Ethan Nwaneri, while new signing Eberechi Eze might be handed an immediate start if Odegaard misses out.
Arteta also admitted Ben White and Christian Norgaard remain doubts, while he provided an update on Havertz after the ex- Chelsea man underwent knee surgery this week.
“I think it will be weeks, but I don’t know how many months. Very unfortunate, very sad for him.
“I think he did tremendously well to recover from the previous one [injury]. He has never had an injury before and sadly this happens.”
On the three significant injuries his side have suffered in August, Arteta said: “It's the start of the season and we lost three of our main players, but that's the reality.
“A very unfortunate situation, three very different situations. But that's why we keep insisting, like everybody else, you need a big squad to be able to cope and sustain the level.”
The only other injury issue is Gabriel Jesus, who has been out since January with an ACL tear.
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