🏟️🌐Arsenal injury update: Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus,Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino and Ben White latest news and return dates as Pep Guardiola also confirms Man City injury blow ahead of Arsenal clash…

### **Arsenal Injury Update: Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino, Ben White, and More**

As Arsenal prepares for an intense upcoming stretch of matches, the club is facing multiple injury concerns that could impact their squad depth. With fixtures coming thick and fast, Mikel Arteta has some key players on the sidelines, but there is some good news regarding a few recoveries.

### **Martin Ødegaard**

The Norwegian playmaker was notably absent from the squad for the recent 1-0 victory over Wolves. Although Ødegaard had played the full 90 minutes against Dinamo Zagreb earlier in the week, he fell ill on the day of the Wolves match, forcing him to return home. Arteta confirmed Ødegaard wasn’t fit to play due to illness, leaving his participation in upcoming matches in doubt.

– **Expected return date**: February 2, 2025 (vs Manchester City, home)

*Mikel Merino**

Merino also missed the Wolves match due to a minor issue sustained in training. The Spanish midfielder had played the full match in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa but was rested for the Dinamo Zagreb fixture. Arteta described Merino as having a “knock” but indicated that it wasn’t a serious injury, meaning he could return soon.

– **Potential return date**: February 2, 2025 (vs Manchester City, home)

*Ben White**

The right-back has been recovering from a minor knee surgery that was performed in November to address an ongoing joint issue. White hasn’t yet resumed full team training, but Arteta has stated that his return is “really soon.” The defender has been a key part of Arsenal’s defense when fit, and his imminent return is a positive sign for the team.

– **Potential return date**: February 2025

**Bukayo Saka**

Arsenal’s star winger has been out for over a month following surgery to repair a hamstring injury sustained in December’s match against Crystal Palace. The injury is the first major setback of Saka’s career. While he has been spotted at home matches, Arteta has advised him to focus on his recovery. Saka is expected to be sidelined until at least March 2025.

– **Potential return date**: March 2025

Takehiro Tomiyasu**

The Japanese defender has had an injury-riddled season, having played only six minutes of Premier League football. Tomiyasu has been out since early October, but reports suggest he is close to returning. Arsenal has yet to give a precise timeline for his recovery, leaving fans eager for updates.

– **Potential return date**: Unknown

**Gabriel Jesus**

Unfortunately, Gabriel Jesus is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL injury in the FA Cup clash with Manchester United earlier this month. The Brazilian striker has undergone knee surgery and is now focused on a lengthy recovery process. He will likely miss the start of next season, making his return to full fitness a longer-term goal.

– **Potential return date**: Summer 2025

*Additional Notes**

– **William Saliba** and **Myles Lewis-Skelly** both made successful returns in the win over Wolves, though Lewis-Skelly was shown a red card during the match, which may result in a suspension unless overturned.

– **Takehiro Tomiyasu** and **Ben White** remain sidelined, with their returns expected to take longer.

With a congested fixture schedule and several key players unavailable, Mikel Arteta will need to rely on squad depth and manage the players’ fitness carefully to stay competitive in the coming weeks. Fans will be hopeful for the return of Ødegaard, Merino, and White for the crucial fixtures ahead.