By 90min | Created at 2024-10-29 21:33:03 | Updated at 2024-11-05 16:34:14
1 week ago
Arsenal were once again left cursing their luck come the end of a 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners, who twice led at home to Arne Slot's side, finished the match with an incredibly makeshift back four, with injuries once again rearing their ugly head throughout a tense top of the table clash.
Mikel Arteta was already without some key first-team stars ahead of Liverpool's visit to north London and he left the Emirates Stadium sweating on the fitness of several more members of his squad.
Here is the latest Arsenal injury news following the weekend's draw.
Gabriel was injured against Liverpool / Alex Pantling/GettyImages
With William Saliba suspended for the arrival of Liverpool on Sunday, the last thing Arsenal needed was an injury to the Frenchman's centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes. But the Gunners weren't so fortunate, with the Brazilian pulling up early in the second half after a duel with Darwin Nunez.
Gabriel appeared to jar his knee and hit the deck for treatment. Despite initially playing on, he was eventually withdrawn in the 54th minute and replaced by Jakub Kiwior. Arsenal would go on to concede down the Poland international's side of the pitch.
Speaking after the match, Arteta wasn't able to provide too much information on the defender's condition, stating; "I don’t know but he could not run, that’s what he said straight away, so I don’t know what happened. I don’t know if it's the knee joint or the ankle, they are assessing him right now."
Jurrien Timber
Timber was injured against Liverpool / Shaun Botterill/GettyImages
Jurrien Timber had been struggling with injuries prior to the weekend's fixture with the Reds and was touch-and-go to make the starting lineup. The Dutch defender managed 76 minutes before limping off at the Emirates.
It's unclear the exact nature and severity of Timber's injury, with Arteta likely to offer a significant update before Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash with Preston North End.
Asked whether it was a risk playing Timber after the match, Arteta responded: "We’ve done everything that we possibly could to accelerate that process, and he was so willing, the team, the medical staff have done amazing work and we gave ourselves the chance to compete. I don’t know the extent of the injury if there is one."
Riccardo Calafiori missed Liverpool's visit / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages
Riccardo Calafiori had already sustained his knee injury prior to Sunday's draw after being withdrawn against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League. Arteta claimed the Italian's situation was "very, very uncertain" before the weekend and the summer signing missed the clash with Liverpool entirely.
It seems unlikely that Calafiori will return midweek against Preston in the cup and Arteta is yet to offer up any further information on his availability.
Martin Odegaard
Arsenal's skipper is nearing a return / Visionhaus/GettyImages
Martin Odegaard has been sidelined since early September after he sustained an ankle injury on international duty. Having missed well over a month of action, his absent creativity and leadership has proven a big miss for the Gunners.
However, the Norwegian is edging towards a return to the field. Speaking before Sunday's match, Odegaard said: "I've been out for a few weeks now, and have been working hard to get back as soon as possible.
"As I said in my notes on Tuesday, I feel like it's close now, but although I haven't been involved in the games lately, I feel I've still been able to use that time pretty well too."
Kieran Tierney has been missing since Euro 2024 / Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages
Kieran Tierney's injury record makes for difficult viewing and the Scotland international suffered a fresh setback at Euro 2024. The left-back pulled his hamstring in the group stage draw with Switzerland and has been missing ever since.
Tierney's return date remains unknown but the defender is unlikely to be used too regularly by Arteta this season anyway.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Takehiro Tomiyasu is sidelined / Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/GettyImages
Takehiro Tomiyasu has struggled significantly with injuries this term and has played just once for the Gunners in all competitions. He featured briefly in the 3-1 win over Southampton in early October but suffered a fresh injury during his cameo.
Tomiyasu is currently sidelined with a knee problem but no date has been placed on his return yet.
