The latest Arsenal injury news ahead of facing Brighton & Hove Albion as boss Mikel Arteta offers an update on Bukayo Saka before Saturday evening’s south coast clash.
Amex Stadium awaits the Gunners next in their Premier League title quest with eight games to go. Arsenal can return to the top of the table with a win at Brighton, before Liverpool visit Manchester United on Sunday. Just two points currently split the top two teams in the table.
Arsenal could slip to third place before they hit the pitch at Brighton, despite sitting atop the tree when they left the field at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday. Manchester City might pull the first punch at Crystal Palace in Saturday’s lunchtime game during a close-fought run-in.
Arsenal injury list ahead of visiting Brighton & Hove Albion
Arsenal briefly led the standings after beating Luton Town 2-0 through Martin Odegaard and an own goal by Daiki Hashioka. But Liverpool replied with a 3-1 win over Sheffield United on Thursday. Arteta also hosted Luton without Saka due to the Arsenal product’s muscle injury.
Saka could return from his injury at Brighton, a team who have caused Arsenal many issues in the Premier League. The Gunners have only done the double over them once so far back in 2020/21. But they could repeat that record this season after winning 2-0 last December.
The win marked one of just five that Arsenal have claimed across 13 Premier League games against Brighton so far. The Seagulls have also won five and drawn three. Only in December 2020 and December 2022 have Arsenal also won away to Brighton ahead of this weekend.
So, with that in mind, here is the latest injury situation at Arsenal as Arteta prepares for the Gunners’ trip to Brighton with an almost fully-fit first-team squad to possibly choose from…
Bukayo Saka injury latest
Saka failed his late fitness test to feature as Arsenal beat Luton in midweek after limping off at Manchester City with a muscular injury. But the Gunners do not view it as a major injury, despite first suffering it before the international break and withdrawing from England duty.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka from his age, parents and house
Arsenal will, again, make a late decision on Saka’s involvement ahead of Saturday’s match at Brighton. The Gunners have monitored his recovery at London Colney throughout the week and Arteta has stated that they will afford the forward Friday’s sessions to prove his fitness.
“We’ll know now,” Arteta said in his press conference on Friday. “We have a training session in a few hours and we will know whether he’s fit or not. [Everyone else] seems ok.”
Expected return: Brighton & Hove Albion (April 6)
Jurrien Timber injury latest
Saka returning from a muscular injury at Brighton will leave Jurrien Timber as Arsenal’s sole remaining absentee. The 22-year-old is still working on his fitness in training as he strives to return from ACL surgery. Arteta has not had Timber since the first day of the league season.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace Jurrien Timber from his height to four brothers
Arteta said ahead of Luton’s visit to Emirates Stadium this Wednesday that Timber is ‘doing very well’ in his recovery from an ACL injury. The defender is also now in the final stages of his recovery at London Colney. Arsenal are hopeful he will play before the end of the term.
Expected return: April/May 2024