The latest Arsenal injury news ahead of hosting Luton Town as Mikel Arteta shares updates on Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli before Wednesday night’s meeting.
Top-flight football returns to Emirates Stadium for the first time in a month with the Hatters’ visit from Bedfordshire. It also offers Arsenal the chance to return to the top of the Premier League table following Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Manchester City with Liverpool now sat in first.
Arsenal have not played a top-flight fixture on home soil since Kai Havertz penned his 86th-minute winner against Brentford. The Gunners also needed a 60th-minute equaliser by the German before Declan Rice bagged a 4-3 win in the 97th minute at Luton during December.
Arsenal injury list ahead of hosting Luton Town
Arteta will hope Arsenal do not need to leave it late to beat Luton this Wednesday with the injury situation at London Colney easing. The Gunners are nearly back up to full strength as they look to put pressure on Liverpool before the Reds host Sheffield United this Thursday.
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Luton also head to north London in the relegation zone in 18th place having even played 30 games. But Rob Edwards’ side have only lost by one goal in 12 of their 18 defeats so far this season. So, with that in mind, here is the injury situation at Arsenal ahead of hosting Luton.
Bukayo Saka injury latest
Arteta has confirmed that Saka is ‘fine’ having raised injury fears at Arsenal after limping off at Manchester City. The 22-year-old made way in the 78th minute at Etihad Stadium having also withdrawn from England duty due to a muscle injury that prevented him from training.
Saka was able to overcome the injury to start at their title rivals and should make Arsenal’s squad against Luton. He has not missed a Premier League fixture since his hamstring injury in October stopped Saka from playing in the Gunners’ 1-0 win at home to Manchester City.
“Yeah, he’s fine,” Arteta said during his pre-game press conference on Tuesday. “Obviously, we haven’t trained. We’ve recovered and have a short live session today to prepare for the game and we’ll see whether he’s in the best condition to start or not.”
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Having Saka fit at home to Luton will hand Arteta a big boost ahead of Arsenal’s title run-in. The Hale End hero is their top scorer with 13 goals and lead creator with eight assists in 28 appearances. Havertz has the Gunners’ second-most league goals with eight in 28 outings.
Expected return: Luton Town (April 3)
Gabriel Martinelli injury latest
Arsenal winger Martinelli is fit to play a full 90 minutes after returning from his foot injury last Sunday at Manchester City. The 22-year-old replaced Saka in the late stages at the Citizens. But Arteta would not have included Martinelli in their squad if he was still carrying his injury.
“He is [fit enough to play 90 minutes] because he was available to play against a really tough opponent three days ago,” Arteta said in his press conference on Tuesday. “Again, we’ll train today and see the state of every player and make the right decision tomorrow.”
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Martinelli suffered a cut to his foot at Sheffield United that would force the Guarulhos native to withdraw from Brazil’s March internationals. It also kept him out of Arsenal’s win at home to Brentford, plus the second leg of their Champions League last 16 victory against FC Porto.
The nine-cap Selecao star had scored and assisted at Bramall Lane to help the Gunners seal a 6-0 win. His goal involvements moved Martinelli to six goals and four assists in 26 Premier League appearances this season. Arteta has started the winger in 23 of their 29 games, too.
Expected return: Luton Town (April 3)
Jurrien Timber injury latest
Saka and Martinelli returning to fitness as Arsenal host Luton will leave Jurrien Timber alone at London Colney to receive treatment for his ACL injury. But Arteta states the 22-year-old is doing ‘very well’ in his rehabilitation. The coach is also hopeful of getting Timber back soon.
Timber has not featured since the opening day of the Premier League season after suffering his ACL injury after just 50 minutes against Nottingham Forest in August. Arsenal have been very careful with the Dutchman’s recovery from surgery, too. But he is ‘not far off’ a return.
“He’s doing very well [and] he’s back training,” Arteta said in his press conference. “He’s not far off but the thing is that last step. He hasn’t played any minutes, so does he need a game with the Under-21s? Does he need two games?
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“We are going to have to see, especially because he’s training with us and we need to see how long that will take him. That last part is tricky and sometimes takes a while. Hopefully, [Timber will return from his injury] as soon as possible.”
Expected return: April/May 2024