Arsenal injury update: Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli latest news and return dates

As a result of a sudden spate of serious injuries, Arsenal’s title defense may be in jeopardy.

Declan Rice was forced off during the first half of Sunday’s exhilarating but expensive 2-2 draw with Tottenham.

Leandro Trossard was unable to fill in for the injured Gabriel Martinelli at the Emirates Stadium because of his own issue, while Bukayo Saka also left the field late against Spurs.

With Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber both now out injured, Arsenal has found themselves in a precarious position at the start of the season that may well jeopardize their hopes of victory in the domestic and European leagues this year under Mikel Arteta.

Here is your latest Arsenal injury news and potential return dates.

Declan Rice

The record summer signing has instantly become an indispensable figure to Arsenal, but was replaced by Jorginho at half-time against Spurs.

Manager Arteta revealed after the game that Rice had been complaining of a back problem during the first half of the derby and was unable to carry on after an assessment at the interval.

It was also reported earlier this month that the England midfielder continues to manage a calf issue that has been bothering him since pre-season.

“He had some discomfort in his back,” Arteta said on Sunday. “He was telling us during the first half that he was uncomfortable and when we assessed him at half-time he could not continue, so we had to change him.”

If Rice might face a while watching from the sidelines, he added: “Hopefully not. We must evaluate him. It’s odd when a player like him requests to leave the field because he feels uneasy. Let’s hope not, but let’s see.

Rice’s probable return date won’t be known until Arsenal determines the full extent of his injury, but it seems highly unlikely that he will participate in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup third-round matchup away to London rivals Brentford.

The Gunners then go to Bournemouth before going to Lens in the Champions League before their crucial match against Manchester City on October 8. Arsenal will be hoping he makes it back in time for that subsequent match.

Potentially, in October 2023.

Saka Bukayo

With a first-half strike that forced Cristian Romero into an own goal and a well-taken penalty to make up for the Argentine’s handball after the break, Saka was in excellent form against Tottenham.

The England winger, who had been struggling all afternoon against Spurs full-back Destiny Udogie, was eventually substituted by Emile Smith Rowe at the Emirates late in the second half.

Gabriel Martinelli

Martinelli was forced off early with a hamstring injury after seeing a goal disallowed during last weekend’s 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park.

The Brazilian then missed Arsenal’s crushing 4-0 demolition of PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League but was subsequently given a chance of being fit for Spurs.

“With Gabi we are still assessing him, so let’s see if he can make the game or not,” Arteta said of Martinelli on Friday.

As it was, the 22-year-old was absent from the matchday squad altogether again, though the fact that he was not totally ruled out in the build-up would suggest that the issue is not too serious and that a return could beckon soon.

It would seem foolish to risk a half-fit Martinelli in the Carabao Cup if indeed he does shake off the problem by then, so perhaps the trip to Bournemouth on Saturday might see his comeback in some capacity.

Potential return date: Bournemouth (A) on September 30 or October

Leandro Trossard

Trossard had deputised well in Martinelli’s absence and it was a shock not to see the January signing in the squad at all to face Tottenham.

“Leandro Trossard misses out today due to a slight muscle issue,” Arsenal confirmed ahead of the derby.

Then offering his own update, Arteta said: “He felt something, he felt a muscle tightness yesterday in training and he wasn’t fit enough to play the game.”

The absence of both Trossard and Martinelli forced Arsenal to go with both Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus in attack against Spurs, joining Saka.

It was a system that did not quite work and Arteta will be hopeful of having both wingers back soon, with muscle tightness not sounding particularly serious for Trossard. You would expect to see a swift return for him this week, likely at Bournemouth rather than Brentford.

Potential return date: Bournemouth (A) on September 30 or October

Thomas Partey

Partey has not played since the 2-2 draw with Fulham on August 26 having suffered a groin injury in training at London Colney.

“Thomas is definitely out and the rest hopefully available,” Arteta said on the Ghana international ahead of the derby clash with Tottenham.

It seems that Partey is likely not expected back until after the next international break, which would put his return at some point in late October – potentially away at Chelsea in the league on the 21st, or the Champions League trip to Sevilla three days later.

Partey’s continued absence makes the Rice injury even more concerning for Arsenal, leaving them very light indeed in midfield with the likes of underwhelming summer signing Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira, Jorginho and the fit-again Mohamed Elneny to carry the load.

Potential return date: Chelsea (A) on October 21

Jurrien Timber

One player who won’t be returning for Arsenal at any point soon is Timber.

There were high hopes for the versatile Dutch defender following his £38million switch from Ajax in the summer and he was desperately unlucky to suffer a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest.

Timber quickly underwent surgery and has been recovering since, last week spotted without crutches for the first time at the club’s squad photocall.

It is expected that the 22-year-old will miss most if not all of the remainder of this season.