Odegaard, Saliba, Saka - Arsenal injury news and return dates before Athletic Club

Arsenal will be without some big names when they face Athletic Club on Tuesday night. The Spanish outfit host Mikel Arteta's side at the San Mamés Stadium for the opening clash of the new Champions League campaign.

The Gunners enjoyed a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend, while Athletic Club lost 1-0 to Deportivo Alavés. Speaking to reporters at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Arteta claimed that he chose to bolster his squad depth in preparation for a European run.

Arsenal forked out nearly £300m on new players in the summer transfer window, while making no more than £10m in sales. The Spaniard said: "The demands of the amount of games that the players have to play, they have to play 70 or 74 games throughout the season, it's never been done.

"When the intensity goes that high, they are not going to be able to sustain that. So you need more players, the standards have raised, we need better players, and there's no secret."

So, with that being said, football.london has rounded up all the latest Arsenal injury news.

Martin Odegaard

Odegaard aggravated his shoulder injury during Arsenal's clash against Forest, and he was replaced by Ethan Nwaneri after only 18 minutes. The 26-year-old midfielder appeared to have overcome the problem he sustained last month, having played a bit-part role in the defeat to Liverpool before featuring twice for Norway during the recent international break.

What Arteta has said: "Yes, very similar [to the injury he suffered against Leeds United]. I don't know if it's exactly the same place, but it's a very similar injury. He wasn't comfortable continuing. He's played two games with Norway; unfortunately, he cannot carry on today. So we have to assess him with the doctors and see, but I'm sure he will try his best to be fit for Tuesday.

"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: Unknown. Potentially Athletic Club (A) on Tuesday, September 16, or Manchester City (H) on Sunday, September 21.

William Saliba

Saliba was forced to come off in the opening minutes against Liverpool at the end of last month. The 24-year-old defender, who had suffered an ankle injury, was omitted from the matchday squad that faced Forest on Saturday afternoon.

What Arteta has said: "He trained yesterday (Friday) and he did the whole session and he was okay. 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, so when a player says that, don't push it."

Expected return date: Athletic Club (A) on Tuesday, September 16.

Christian Norgaard

Norgaard is yet to feature for Arsenal this season. The 31-year-old midfielder, who joined the Gunners from Brentford in the summer, made a handful of appearances during pre-season, scoring his first goal for the club in a 3-2 friendly defeat to Villarreal at the start of August.

What Arteta has said: N/A

Expected return date: Athletic Club (A) on Tuesday, September 16.

Bukayo Saka

Saka has been nursing a muscle injury, which he suffered against Leeds last month. The 24-year-old winger missed three months of last season due to a problem in his right hamstring, and now he's felt something in his left hamstring.

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.

Kai Havertz

Last month, Havertz complained of discomfort in his knee. The 26-year-old forward later underwent minor surgery on the problem, and, while he's been recovering well, Arteta believes his lay-off could be for months rather than weeks.

What Arteta has said: "He's looking really good, he's walking freely. He's starting to load the knee and started to do some bits. As I said before, I think we’re taking it from weeks to months. But knowing Kai, I cannot give you any timescale because I know what he's going to try to do.

"So I think he's in a good moment. 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: November.

Gabriel Jesus

Jesus remains out of action after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the start of the year. The 28-year-old striker has stepped up his rehabilitation programme in recent weeks, but he may not be in a position to play again until December or even January.

What Arteta has said: "He had major surgery that was going to take him many, many months. So, after discussing that with the medical staff and understanding the schedule that we had and when we thought that he could be available, that it would be between December and January, we decided to make that call, like we've done in the past with other players. Hopefully, we did it wrong and he comes back earlier. But at the moment, the provision was very clear."

Expected return date: December or January.