Hincapie, Odegaard, Madueke - Arsenal injury news and return dates for Atletico Madrid

Mikel Arteta is without a number of first-team players due to injury, but Piero Hincapie's return could see Arsenal welcome a new face into their backline on Tuesday night.

Arsenal will be looking to continue their 100 per cent start to their Champions League league phase charge when they take on Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night.

The Gunners welcome the Spanish giants to north London in the third round of fixtures in the competition. So far, Mikel Arteta's men have bypassed Athletic Club and Olympiacos - both 2-0 - and remain one of six sides to record six points from six.

Diego Simeone's side head in to the game on the back of six games unbeaten in all competitions, including a 5-2 win over rivals Real Madrid. Atleti have already travelled to England in the competition - losing 3-2 to Liverpool in September.

Here, football.london brings you the latest injury news ahead of the clash;

Piero Hincapie

Arteta confirmed on Monday afternoon that Hincapie is available for selection against Atletico. The 23-year-old has been suffering with a groin injury since his move from Bayer Leverkusen, restricting him to just one appearance.

After training before the Fulham game, and yet missing the win at Craven Cottage, Hincapie will be in the squad tomorrow. "Yeah he [Hincapie] will be available and I think that game [Fulham] a bit to early for him, but now he's ready to go," Arteta said.

Predicted return date: Atletico Madrid (H) on Tuesday, September 21.

Martin Odegaard

Before the Fulham game, Arteta revealed his captain would be side-lined for a "few weeks" with a knee injury. Odegaard sustained a medial collateral ligament injury during the win over West Ham before the international break.

"He will be weeks, no definite date for his return, but he's evolving well," the Arsenal boss said. "It's very unlucky what's happening with him and his injuries this season, but I think he will be back in a few weeks.

"It could be [an absence until after the next international break], but we will have to see how he is progressing, how his knee is feeling, how he manages the next steps in his rehab, it's too early to get an answer."

Potential return date: Unknown.

Noni Madueke

After impressing in his early days at Arsenal, Madueke has been forced to miss several weeks with a knee injury. The winger sustained the issue in the 1-1 draw with Manchester City at the end of September.

"It looks like Noni is going to be out for a few weeks, but we don't really know yet - we will have to scan him next week again," Arteta said. "He felt something at the beginning of the match and tried to carry on but it was too sore, so let's see."

Potential return date: Unknown.

Kai Havertz

Havertz has been missing since August after picking up a knee injury in the victory over Manchester United - in the opening week of the Premier League season. He has since undergone surgery and while no timeframe on his return has been provided, it has been suggested that November was the earliest he could be back.

"With Kai, we know that it will be months with him. I don't know if it can be weeks; you never know. We really miss him," Arteta admitted in late September.

"Hopefully, he will be back, and back for the long term as well, so it is very important to look after that knee. So far, he's progressing pretty well."

Potential return date: Unknown.

Gabriel Jesus

The Brazilian is another longer-term injury for Arsenal after being out since January. Jesus suffered an ACL injury in the FA Cup defeat to Man Utd.

"He had a major surgery, it was going to take him many, many months," Arteta said. "After discussing with the medical staff and understanding the schedule, we thought that he could be available between December and January. Hopefully, we did it wrong, and he comes back earlier."

Potential return date: Unknown.