Arsenal injury news and return dates as Mikel Arteta leaves three at home for Inter Milan clash

Mikel Arteta will be without some big names when Arsenal face Inter Milan in the Champions League

Mikel Arteta has welcomed Christian Norgaard and Ethan Nwaneri back to the Arsenal squad ahead of Tuesday night's clash against Inter Milan. The Gunners will lock horns with Cristian Chivu's side at the San Siro in their penultimate clash of the UEFA Champions League 'league phase'.

Norgaard and Nwaneri, who were not named on the bench against Nottingham Forest at the weekend, have both travelled to Italy. Arteta will be hoping the duo can help Arsenal secure automatic qualification to the knockout stages.

The Spaniard will, however, be without some big names, who have been left at home. So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up all the latest Arsenal injury news and return dates.

Bukayo Saka

Saka was spotted in training on Monday despite fears that he could be left at home. On Sunday evening, following the goalless draw to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, Arteta cast doubt over the winger's involvement against Inter.

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What Arteta said: "Bukayo had a lot of minutes and he had a niggle before the game so we need to manage our players. We have some fantastic players that can provide different things, and we did try [to swap the wide-men] from the beginning.

"We tried after half-time as well, taking more risks and bringing in even more players in those attacking options. We tried in every way, and it wasn't enough, unfortunately."

Expected return date: Inter Milan (A) – UEFA Champions League – Tuesday, January 20.

Piero Hincapie

Hincapie was forced off in the goalless draw with Liverpool earlier this month. The defender suffered a groin injury, missing games against Portsmouth, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest.

He has not travelled to Milan.

Expected return date: Unknown.

Riccardo Calafiori

Calafiori has been out of action since he pulled up in the warm-up ahead of the win against Brighton just after Christmas. The defender, who's been nursing a muscle problem, has missed seven games across all competitions.

He hasn't travelled to Milan either.

What Arteta said: "It’s a muscle injury. He’s progressing, but we don’t know. I think it will matter for a few weeks probably, but we don’t know exactly when."

Expected return date: Unknown.

Max Dowman

Dowman suffered ligament damage to his ankle during a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United in the middle of December. Shortly after the incident, Arteta claimed the 16-year-old midfielder would be 'out for a number of weeks'.

He hasn't featured in training since and has been removed from the Champions League squad as a result. UEFA rules allow outfield players to be replaced in the case of 'long-term' injuries, which is considered to be at least 60 days of absence, so Dowman was replaced by Gabriel Jesus.

Unsurprisingly, he hasn't travelled to Milan.

What Arteta said: "(Max) is very similar to Mosquera. Very similar injuries, very similar time frames. Both evolving really well, but they’re not training yet, so they’re still a few weeks away."

Expected return date: Late February.