Mikel Arteta faces a handful of injury concerns ahead of Arsenal visiting London rivals Chelsea, as Bukayo Saka remains a doubt after having to pull out of the England team.

The Gunners come out of the October international break with a trip to Stamford Bridge this weekend. Arsenal have enjoyed a strong recent record against Chelsea but will hope to have Saka back for the trip. He is their top scorer in the Premier League so far this season on four.

Arsenal had to make do without Saka in their last game as Gabriel Martinelli gave them a 1-0 win over Manchester City. The 22-year-old was absent at Emirates Stadium after picking up a hamstring Injury at RC Lens. He also missed England’s matches against Australia and Italy.

Arsenal injury list ahead of facing Chelsea

Arteta will rue Saka’s injury keeping the forward from Arsenal’s trip to Chelsea this Saturday. The Gunners can claim four consecutive wins against the Blues with a positive result in west London. They won home and away last term plus a 2-4 win at Stamford Bridge in April 2022.

But Saka is not the only injury concern now facing Arteta ahead of Arsenal travelling over to west London. So, with that in mind, here is their current injury situation at Emirates Stadium…

Bukayo Saka injury latest

Saka endured an injury-hit period across September with the forward having to go off during three straight appearances. His issues, ultimately, came home to roost when the 22-year-old missed Manchester City’s visit to the capital. The injury also kept him out of England’s team.

Arteta had to replace Saka against Tottenham Hotspur after taking a heavy knock to the foot in the north London derby. It also kept him from their Carabao Cup tie with Brentford before suffering another foot injury at Bournemouth. Saka then suffered a hamstring injury at Lens.

Reports by 90min claim that Arsenal do not believe Saka suffered a serious hamstring injury in the Champions League. But it was severe enough to prevent him from facing Manchester City or playing with England. The attacker also remains a doubt for Arsenal’s trip to Chelsea.

Expected return: Chelsea (October 21)

William Saliba injury latest

Arsenal beat Manchester City 1-0 despite William Saliba playing through an injury to his big toe. The problem also saw the centre-back withdraw from the France squad that faced the Netherlands and Scotland. Saliba had been managing the injury to his big toe for some time.

According to football.london, Arsenal do not believe Saliba has a serious toe injury. Emirates Stadium chiefs are also hoping to have the 22-year-old passed fit to face Chelsea after the October international break. He has started in their eight Premier League games this season.

Expected return: Chelsea (October 21)

Leandro Trossard injury latest

Arsenal lost another player to an injury against Manchester City as Leandro Trossard picked up a hamstring problem. It forced the winger off at half-time and to also withdraw from the Belgium side. But the Evening Standard notes he returned to London Colney as a precaution.

The Red Devils let Trossard return to Arsenal to continue his recovery having recently missed games with another hamstring injury. He developed that issue in training ahead of the north London derby and sat out two games. Manchester City’s visit marked his second start since.

Expected return: Chelsea (October 21)

Jurrien Timber injury latest

Arsenal remain cautious about putting a timeframe on when Arteta can expect to welcome Jurrien Timber back from his ACL surgery in August. Charles Watts reports that the Gunners have no interest in putting a date on his recovery. They do not want to create any pressure.

Timber is still some way off making a return after suffering the injury during his debut with the Gunners. Arsenal are not even currently discussing the 22-year-old potentially returning this season. They want him to focus solely on the recovery to avoid any repeat of the injury.

Expected return: Unclear

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