Arsenal injury update: Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has confirmed the worst possible news ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League round of 16 ties

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

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Arsenal’s hopes of being crowned Premier League champions are all but over following a goalless draw with Nottingham Forest.

The Gunners, who were beaten 1-0 by West Ham last weekend, kicked off at the City Ground 11 points behind league leaders Liverpool, and the night ended with a 13-point gap between the two sides after the Reds cruised to victory over Newcastle.

Though, Mikel Arteta’s side do have a game in hand, it feels like the Premier League title is beyond them and this places greater emphasis on the Champions League if they’re to end the season with some silverware.

The good news is that Myles Lewis-Skelly will be available for selection against PSV Eindhoven next week after serving his one-match Premier League suspension.

However, it looks like the Gunners will not get a much-needed boost in attack for either of the round of 16 ties.

Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka tore his hamstring during the win over Crystal Palace in December and Arsenal have been without their talismanic winger ever since.

There was excitement among supporters when the club posted pictures of Saka training in the gym in Dubai earlier in the month and there had been talk of a return against PSV in the Champions League.

However, when speaking after the draw with Forest, Arteta ruled Saka out until after the March international break.

Potential return date: April

Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli injured his hamstring in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle as he was forced off in the 37th minute at St James’ Park after going down clutching the back of his thigh.

Expected to be sidelined for a month, Martinelli was initially a doubt for the Champions League round of 16 first-leg meeting with PSV, though he and Saka are set to miss both games.

“I think so, but again, let’s see how they evolve in the next few weeks to make the right steps as well,” Arteta said when asked if the pair could return after the international break.

“And then after that, they’ve been out for a long, long time, so we’re going to have to integrate them as well, probably gradually. So they’re evolving well, but they’re still a bit far.

“We have a meeting tomorrow to discuss where they are, especially Gabi. He has probably a chance before Bukayo to come in, but how soon that is, we’ll have to see how it goes in the next week or ten days.”

Potential return date: April

Arsenal are set to be without Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in their Champions League round of 16 ties

Action Images via Reuters

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Takehiro Tomiyasu has played just six minutes of football this season, coming on as a late substitute in the Premier League win over Southampton in October.

That followed a three-month lay-off from a knee injury that meant he missed the start of the season.

As confirmed by the versatile defender on Tuesday, he has undergone knee surgery which will rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Though, he has vowed to not give up: “I’ve had a surgery on my knee few days ago and I’ve already started my rehab to do what I love the most again,” Tomiyasu said in an Instagram post.

“It has been the toughest period in my career for sure and it carries on a bit more but I won’t give up. Thank you for your support and see you again.”

Arsenal have since revealed the extent of Tomiyasu’s injury nightmare, stating the defender’s recovery and rehabilitation programme is expected to be completed towards the end of this year.

Potential return date: Late 2025

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz will miss the rest of the season after tearing his hamstring during training in Dubai.

The striker has confirmed he underwent a successful operation as he targets a return to fitness in the summer.

In a post on his Instagram and Twitter accounts from his hospital bed, Havertz said: “The last few days have been tough to process both physically and mentally. But yesterday was a good day. A successful op and a win.