Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are out to prove that their 2022/23 Premier League title challenge was no fluke.
The Gunners pushed Manchester City all the way last season, only falling away as Pep Guardiola’s side upped the ante, and have added significant depth to their squad after signing Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
The latter unfortunately suffered a serious knee injury on the first day of the season, with Arteta already struggling to balance a number of other niggles to key players.
Here’s who’s currently on the treatment table in north London and when Arsenal fans can expect to see them back in action.
“It doesn’t look good,” Arteta told reporters after Saka limped off against Lens in the Champions League with a hamstring problem. “He is a really important player, there is no question about that, but the team has to use the resources that we have to make it, even without him.
Saka was also ruled out of England‘s October internationals against Australia and Italy, the latter a qualifier for Euro 2024, and is working with club physios on a recovery programme that will hopefully put him contention to face Chelsea.
Jurrien Timber was poised to play a big role for Arsenal during his debut campaign, but the Dutchman tore his ACL on matchday 1 of the Premier League season against Nottingham Forest and will miss much of 2023/24 as a result.
The versatile defender is said to be progressing well in his recovery and is expected to return at some point this season. However, it won’t be for a while until we see Timber suit up again.
March 2024 has been touted as a potential return date for the former Ajax star.
Restored to Arsenal’s starting lineup as Gabriel Martinelli recovered from a hamstring injury, Trossard unfortunately suffered the same fate against Manchester City and was taken off after just 45 minutes.
Trossard withdrew from Belgium’s squad for the games against Austria and Sweden, and it’s currently unclear as to the severity of his issue.
Thomas Partey’s absence in midfield hasn’t been felt as greatly as it could have been because of the exceptional start to Declan Rice’s Arsenal career.
But the 30-year-old’s thigh problem has certainly hindered the Gunners, despite results being strong in the early weeks of the season. Partey has been eased back into action by Mikel Arteta, and also by Ghana on the international stage, and that’s expected to continue as he builds up match fitness ahead of a full return.
William Saliba was withdrawn from France’s international party after picking up a toe injury in Arsenal’s win over Manchester City, but there’s hope the Frenchman will be fine and dandy to take on rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
A colossal figure in central defence, Saliba should slot in as usual alongside Ben White and Gabriel, providing the stability and consistency in selection that Arteta loves.
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