Arsenal have received a double injury boost with injuries suffered by Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka not reportedly said to be as bad as first feared.
Gunners skipper Odegaard sustained a right shoulder injury in the 14th minute when he fell after being pulled back by Leeds’ Anton Stach.
Saka went down moments after the hosts scored their third goal against the visitors, courtesy of summer signing Viktor Gyokeres.
According to The Times, the injuries to both Odegaard and Saka are not thought to cause them to miss a significant period – although both could miss the trip to Liverpool next weekend.
Saka took his time to exit the field gingerly, and was greeted by his manager with a hug as he was swapped for Leandro Trossard.
The 23-year-old has cause for concern, even if his substitution was a precautionary one, after missing a large chunk of last season due to a hamstring tear.
Saka went down moments after the hosts scored their third goal against the visitors, courtesy of summer signing Viktor Gyokeres
unners skipper Odegaard sustained a right shoulder injury in the 14th minute when he fell after being pulled back by Leeds’ Anton Stach
However, the pair may not be fit to face Liverpool at Anfield next weekend
Saka picked up the injury against Crystal Palace last December, and was forcibly sidelined until early April.
Arsenal’s No 7 underwent surgery before the end of 2024, and as he recovered, his absence from Arteta’s starting XI was deeply felt – with the playing having previously only missed out on 10 games during Arsenal’s last 172 matches in all competitions.
Odegaard also missed a run of games in the autumn last year after suffering an ankle injury on international duty with Norway.
However, Arteta is buoyant that his side maintain the quality to end their run of second-placed finishes.
When asked whether this squad was his best since taking charge of the club in December 2019, Arteta said: ‘In terms of numbers and quality, yes for sure.’
Arteta was also adamant that the signing of Eberechi Eze was not a reaction to Havertz’s injury. He said: ‘I think it was very clear what I said that it (transfer business) wasn’t done.
‘Obviously we were very active trying to look at the possibilities that could come. We are not reacting to anything, we’ve been very prepared and understanding what we could do, and we have decided this is the moment to do it.’
On Havertz’s injury, he added: ‘Well, certainly he’s not fit for this match. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury and we don’t really know yet the extent of it. I think we need a bit more time and some more tests and after that we’ll have more clarity about the next steps.
‘Mentally he’s in a good place. He’s a really strong boy, very committed.
