Odegaard, Merino, Zinchenko: Arsenal injury updates and possible return dates ahead of PSG clash

Arsenal’s Premier League campaign has got off to a positive start and they will head into this weekend’s home clash with struggling Southampton with the aim of preserving their unbeaten record.

Saturday’s 4-2 home victory against Leicester City meant Mikel Arteta’s men have collected 14 points from a possible 18 in the first two months of the season and sit just a point behind current leaders Liverpool. The Gunners are widely expected to challenge for the Premier League title once again this season after falling short in the last two years - and they will need a little bit of fortune on the injury front if they are to go one better.

As it stands, Mikel Arteta is contending with a number of absences and is yet to call upon the services of the likes of summer signing Mikel Merino and defensive duo Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney. But when will the Gunners boss expect to get his injured players back in contention and what has he said about their possible returns?

Riccardo Calafiori - thigh injury

The summer signing featured for the entire 90 minutes of Saturday’s hard-earned home win over Premier League rivals Leicester City despite contending with an ongoing thigh injury. The Italy international is still available and will be in contention for Tuesday’s Champions League home tie with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. Predicted return date: Tuesday 1st October.

Ben White - knee injury

White was not included in the matchday squad for the win against Leicester after picking up a knee injury. However, Arteta admitted the former Leeds United and Brighton and Hove Albion defender was close to being involved against the Foxes and he could return to contention for the meeting with PSG. Predicted return date: Tuesday 1st October.

Mikel Merino - shoulder injury

The former Newcastle United midfielder is yet to feature for the Gunners after moving to the Emirates Stadium in a summer move from La Liga club Real Sociedad. Arsenal have taken a patient approach with Merino as he makes his way back from a shoulder injury and there is an expectation he could even feature this side of the upcoming international break. Predicted return date: Saturday 5th October.

Martin Odegaard - ankle injury

The influential midfielder underwent and MRI scan on an ankle injury earlier this month and Arteta admitted it was ‘unlikely’ the former Real Madrid man would return before the international break. Speaking last week, the Gunners boss said: “It will be a matter of weeks, but how long exactly I cannot tell you. We might get a surprise.” Predicted return date: Saturday 19th October.

Oleksandr Zinchenko - calf injury

Zinchenko has not featured for Arsenal since coming on as a late substitute for Jurrien Timber in the 1-1 home draw with Brighton and Hove Albion last month. Speaking last week, Arteta admitted the Ukraine international was still going to be ‘out for a few weeks’, meaning he will not return until after the international break. Predicted return date: Saturday 19th October.

Takehiro Tomiyasu - knee injury

The versatile defender has not appeared in a matchday squad this season as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious knee injury. However, Tomiyasu is now back in training and could return after the upcoming international break. Speaking last week, Arteta said of the Japan star: “He had partial training today, and he’s looked good. He’s progressing really well and is a little bit behind Mikel (Merino), but we don’t know with Tomi because he’s another one that pushes every single day. He’s in a good place now, I think.” Predicted return date: Saturday 19th October.

Kieran Tierney - hamstring injury

The former Celtic defender is another player yet to feature this season after suffering an injury during Scotland’s Euro 2024 campaign. A return date is unknown - but Arteta did confirm Tierney will be a ‘few weeks’ away from being back in contention during an interview he gave last month. Predicted return date: Unknown.