Arsenal injury return dates: Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Ben White, Leandro Trossard latest news
Mikel Arteta was ‘praying’ for no more injuries but the Gunners have picked up another concern ahead of facing Nottingham Forest
Arsenal will hope to have made it through the latest international break with no further injuries as Mikel Arteta’s side look to get their Premier League title challenge back on track.
The depleted Gunners dropped to fourth in the table, nine points behind early pace-setters Liverpool, after a 1-1 draw at Chelsea extended their winless run to four league games.
Injuries have been a constant concern since early September, when Martin Odegaard was ruled out for over two months after suffering an ankle injury while playing.
And Arteta will hope Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice’s enforced absence from England duty was merely precautionary, ahead of the home match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Here’s all the latest news and updates over the possible return dates for Arsenal’s sidelined players.
Bukayo Saka - leg injury
Mikel Arteta admitted Saka and Declan Rice’s injuries “did not look good” after both were withdrawn in the second half against Chelsea. Both then pulled out of England duty, among eight injury withdrawals in total, which drew criticism from captain Harry Kane.
Saka had his first session back on Friday, ahead of the Nottingham Forest game. Arteta said he was looking “good”.
Potential return: Nottingham Forest, 23 November
Declan Rice - foot injury
Rice missed the defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League after reportedly breaking his toe in the defeat at Newcastle days earlier. The midfielder played through pain to start at Stamford Bridge, but was then forced off and was unable to join up with England.
Rice is more of a doubt to face Forest than Saka, but the Gunners are optimistic the midfielder will be able to retur and he also had his first session on Friday.
Potential return: Nottingham Forest, 23 November
Ben White - knee injury
The right back is set to miss “months” after undergoing a knee operation during the international break. White was carrying the injury for several weeks before a decision was taken to have the procedure which could see the 27-year-old sidelined for a long spell.
Potential return: Out for “months”
Leandro Trossard - knock
Mikel Arteta admitted he was praying for no more injuries during the international break but Arsenal were handed a major worry when Trossard limped off during the first half of Belgium’s 1-0 defeat to Israel.
However the forward is fine and should be available to face Forest.
Potential return: Nottingham Forest, 23 November
Riccardo Calafiori - knee injury
The defender remained at London Colney to continue his recovery from a knee injury picked up against Shakhtar Donetsk last month. The Italian, who had made a bright start to life for Arsenal, is expected to return against Nottingham Forest in a boost to Arteta.
Potential return: Nottingham Forest, 23 November
Takehiro Tomiyasu - knee injury
A set-back to his recovery from a knee injury was a blow to Tomiyasu, who missed the start of the season. The defender has had a tough run of luck with injuries and Mikel Arteta will need to give an update after the international break.
Potential return: December
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