Arsenal injury news and return dates for Leicester: Raya, Timber Latest Reports

On the back of a near-faultless evening in the EFL Cup, Arsenal return to Premier League duty on Saturday afternoon, when Leicester City visit the Emirates Stadium.

A Gunners team comprising fringe players and four teenagers made light work of Bolton Wanderers in a 5-1 thumping on Wednesday evening, where Ethan Nwaneri scored twice and Raheem Sterling also opened his Arsenal account.

Mikel Arteta’s men remain unbeaten this season thanks to their midweek mauling of the Trotters, although last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City may have felt like a defeat, as John Stones came up with a 98th-minute leveller for the reigning champions.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Leicester, who edged out Walsall on penalties in their midweek cup tie.

David Raya

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Thigh

Possible return date: September 28 (vs. Leicester)

After he was seen limping through the mixed zone at the Etihad, David Raya was missing from the squad to face Bolton due to a thigh injury – allowing 16-year-old Jack Porter to make history in goal – and it is still unclear whether he will be back in the ranks this weekend.

Jurrien Timber

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Unspecified

Possible return date: September 28 (vs. Leicester)

Jurrien Timber also left the Etihad a little worse for wear, and his unspecified issue was serious enough to keep him out of the Bolton victory, so there are no guarantees that he will be fit for Leicester either.

Myles Lewis-Skelly

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Knock

Possible return date: September 28 (vs. Leicester)

Myles Lewis-Skelly was one of the players to make his first Arsenal start on Wednesday, but his race was run after an hour due to a knock, which has rendered him doubtful for the visit of the Foxes.

Martin Odegaard

Status: Out

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: November 2 (vs. Newcastle United)

Martin Odegaard provided a detailed update on his recovery from a serious ankle injury before the Bolton win, and while he did not speculate on when he could return, Arteta has conceded that it will likely not be before the October international break.

Mikel Merino

Status: Out

Type of injury: Shoulder

Possible return date: October 27 (vs. Liverpool

Similarly, Mikel Merino’s shoulder fracture – which he sustained in a freak training ground incident with Gabriel Magalhaes – will not heal for another few weeks, forcing the Spaniard to wait a bit longer for his Arsenal debut.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: Unknown

Takehiro Tomiyasu is yet to play any minutes in 2024-25 due to a pre-season knee issue, and there is no timeframe on when the injury-plagued Japan international could be back in action.

Kieran Tierney

Status: Out

Type of injury: Hamstring

Possible return date: Unknown

There have been few updates on Kieran Tierney’s progress from a hamstring injury sustained at Euro 2024, but as the Scot was not involved in the Bolton win, it is safe to assume that he is still in the rehabilitation phase.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Status: Out

Type of injury: Calf

Possible return date: October 27 (vs. Liverpool

Oleksandr Zinchenko picked up a calf injury before the North London derby win earlier this month, and Arteta has admitted that it should be a few more weeks before the Ukrainian is back in contention.

ARSENAL’S SUSPENSION LIST

Leandro Trossard is back from his one-game ban this weekend, meaning that Arsenal have no players suspended for the visit of Leicest

er, where second-choice goalkeeper Neto will also return after being cup-tied in midweek.