Saka, Martinelli, Havertz: Arsenal latest injury news and expected return dates

Arsenal have struggled with injury problems this season, but did receive a boost this week in that defender Ben White returned from injury after three months out of action for the Gunners.

The defender didn’t appear in Arsenal’s last game which was a 2-0 win against Leicester City, but he was on the bench, and will likely make an appearance in their next game against Graham Potter’s West Ham at the weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s side are left in second of the Premier League, seven points away from league leaders Liverpool, who beat Wolves 2-1 on Sunday afternoon to maintain their league.

Bukayo Saka

Star winger Saka has been out injured since a game against Crystal Palace in December when he suffered a hamstring injury. Reports suggested last week that Saka suffered a set-back in his recovery, but the Arsenal boss denied this.

He said: “It's too early; he's in an early stage of the rehab, so when we get a little bit closer, and he starts to do more demanding stuff and has more load, we will see where he is. There's no setback; he's fine.”

Saka was initially expected to return in late March, meaning that his closest return will come around a month from now. However, he will more likely come back after the March international break

Expected return date: Tuesday 1 April vs Fulham (H)

Gabriel Martinelli

Martinelli suffered a hamstring injury during the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup. He remains in recovery, but his injury isn’t expected to be a serious one. The Brazilian winger is currently being assessed as to how long it will take for him to recover, but he isn’t expected to miss a long period of time.

Expected return date: Unknown

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Tomiyasu has made just one appearance for Arsenal this season, which came against Preston in the Carabao Cup in November. He had recovered from his long-term knee injury, but re-aggravated the issue by playing.

The Japanese defender hasn’t made an appearance since, and continues to build up his fitness, but reports last week emerged suggesting that Arsenal are considering a second knee surgery for the defender, which would keep him out for the rest of the season.

Expected return date: Unknown

Kai Havertz

The German international suffered a season-ending hamstring injury during the Gunners’ warm-weather training camp in Dubai last week, which was a huge blow for Arteta.

It meant that the Arsenal boss has had to start Leandro Trossard up front against Leicester, and he will likely rotate at the striker position between Trossard, Raheem Sterling and Ethan Nwaneri.

Expected return date: Start of the 2025/26 season

Gabriel Jesus

Striker Jesus suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier in January, which forced him to have surgery on his knee due to the injury being an ACL issue.

He won’t return until next season, and could miss significant time at the start of next year, a big loss for the Gunners.

Expected return date: November 2025