Saka, Odegaard, Hincapie - Arsenal injury news and return dates before Olympiacos

Arsenal will be hoping to build on Sunday's dramatic win over Newcastle United this week with two more games before the October international break.

The Gunners came from behind to score two late goals on Tyneside. Mikel Merino headed an equaliser past his former team before Gabriel Magalhaes rose the highest from a corner to net the winner.

With Liverpool losing to Crystal Palace, the lead at the top of the Premier League is now just two points. Mikel Arteta's men return to Champions League action on Wednesday night before taking on Nuno Espirito Santo's West Ham next weekend.

Ahead of their sixth game of the month, football.london takes a look at the latest injury news after Arteta welcomed back a number of key players..

Bukayo Saka

After returning from his hamstring injury in the Manchester City game and starting against Port Vale, Saka played the full 90 minutes against Newcastle.

With Noni Madueke out, his availability has come at the perfect time for Arteta.

Expected return date: Returned.

Martin Odegaard

Odegaard suffered a shoulder injury during the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest after the international break and was forced to miss the draw over Man City. However, on Sunday, he came off the bench and helped turn the game around.

Expected return date: Returned.

Piero Hincapie

The defender is currently out with a groin injury and has been left out of the last three matchday squads.

What Arteta has said: "He picked up a little groin injury. We'll have to assess him again in the next few days to see how he goes. There's been a change of load, and he didn't really have a pre-season after the surgery that he had.

"We'll have to see in the next week or so how he is. No, I think it will be a short time."

Expected return date: Olympiacos (H) – Champions League – Wednesday, October, 1.

Kai Havertz

On to the long-term absentees and Havertz remains out with a knee injury. The 26-year-old underwent surgery on the problem in August and is understood to be recovering well.

What Arteta has said: "With Kai, we know that it will be months with him. I don't know if it can be weeks, you never know because this is Kai and he's a different specimen. We really miss him.

"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."

Expected return date: November.

Noni Madueke

As mentioned above, Madueke is out after being forced off in the 1-1 draw with City. The winger will be sidelined for around two months due to a knee problem.

What Arteta has said: "Yes, it looks like he's going to be out for a few weeks. We don't know yet, we're probably going to have to scan him next week again. He felt something at the beginning of the match, he tried to carry on, and at half-time, he was too sore, so let’s see.

"We hope [it's weeks rather than months]. As I said, we need to scan him again to see the real extent of the injury, but it doesn't look too bad."

On if Madueke has had a scan yet, Arteta told reporters on Friday: "No, not yet."

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 might not be in a position to play again until the festive period.

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.

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