Arsenal suffer pair of blows on otherwise fine afternoon on south coast.
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus both suffered injuries in Arsenal’s win at Bournemouth on Saturday.
In an otherwise sterling afternoon’s work for the Gunners, the attacking duo are both doubts to face Lens in midweek to add to a growing absentee list.
Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey have also been suffering from injuries of late.
Jurrien Timber is unavailable for the bulk of the season, if not more, due to a serious knee injury although Mohamed Elneny is now back from a long-term problem. William Saliba and Declan Rice overcame knocks to make the starting line-up on the south coast.
Bukayo Saka
Arteta was coy on Saka’s injury after he hurt his foot blocking a shot late on in the 4-0 win at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez landed on the winger after firing off his effort, leaving him a doubt for Arsenal’s upcoming games against Lens and Manchester City.
Gabriel Jesus
Brazil forward Jesus was also left limping after a blow in the latter stages on Saturday.
Arteta confirmed the club will check on both Jesus and Saka at the start of this week after the striker came off worst in a mazy run, and he was unable to be substituted with Arsenal having made all their changes.
Thomas Partey
A groin injury has kept Partey out of action since the end of August and the Gunners have been determined not to rush his comeback.
However, a promising report last week indicated at him likely being fit to face Chelsea after this month’s international break, on October 21, after his recovery progressed better than expected.
Gabriel Martinelli
Arteta confirmed Martinelli was not yet back in training ahead of the trip to Bournemouth, due to a hamstring injury suffered at Everton.
Reports suggest Arsenal are eyeing a return against Man City on the coming weekend.
Jurrien Timber
An ACL injury could have ended Timber’s season shortly after it started for the new Arsenal signing.
The club are hoping to see him again in 2023-24, yet it remains too early to say if he’ll return in time.