Arsenal injury news for Crystal Palace clash - return dates for Tierney, Smith Rowe & Tomiyasu

Arsenal will go into Friday night’s game against Crystal Palace with optimism, but also concern over key players who have missed part of pre-season through injury.

The Gunners put up a show in their final pre-season game against Sevilla and even though they were missing key men, their stellar performance puts them as favourites going into the game against Palace at Selhurst Park.

On the transfer front, Mikel Arteta has brought in Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos to add quality and competition to his side.

So with everything pointing to a special night under the lights at Selhurst Park, these are the players still sweating on injury concerns.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

The Japanese utility player has had a torrid time despite a storming start to his life in north London last season.

Last campaign, he could only manage just 21 games as the Gunners failed to get him fit and firing at the crucial stage of the season.

When he is in the team he is one of the first names in Arteta’s first XI, but he has missed a chunk of pre-season due to injury and is not likely to be risked for Palace on Friday night.

The right-back should be in contention for next weekend though.

Likely return date: Leicester (H) 13/08/2022

Fabio Vieira

The Arsenal midfielder picked up a foot injury while with Portugal U21s and that has truncated his pre-season with the Gunners.

Was absent for the game against Sevilla and even though his foot is looking better he will likely also give Crystal Palace. He will have another week to train and get fitter before the massive home game against Leicester.

Likely return date: Bournemouth (A) 20/08/2022

Emile Smith Rowe

One of the club‘s highest scorers last season, and it’s hard to think that he was not even a regular starter at the end of the season.

Easily one of the most gifted players in the team and he would be frustrated by the recent lack of fitness.

He is back in training and likely to be involved at some point, but with increased competition and a settled pre-season team he will have to fight his way back into the thinking of Mikel Arteta again.

Likely return date: Leicester (H) 13/08/2022

Kieran Tierney

Kieran Tierney’s season came crashing down after a knee injury, which had a big impact on the top four.

He has had a set-back in his recuperation and likely won’t be ready for the opener against Palace.

The signing of Alex Zinchenko has also eased the pressure on the left-back position, so there will not be a rush to get the Scottish defender back.

He is likely to be ready though in the next couple of weeks.

Likely return date: Leicester (H) 13/08/2022