Arsenal to have triple £250m injury boost in time for Liverpool and Newcastle United tests

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a series of injury boosts ahead of this weekend's Premier League trip to AFC Bournemouth with updates on Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard.

This weekend's trip to 13th-placed Bournemouth is followed by Champions League and Carabao Cup action either side of league meetings against Liverpool and Newcastle United as the fixture calendar hots up ahead of the festive period. Arteta will need a full squad as the fixtures come thick and fast.

Both Saka and Havertz had picked up knocks on international duty over the past fortnight but Arteta confirmed on Friday that those are just minor niggles and both players are in contention for Bournemouth. Should they fail to miss out on action at the Vitality, both should be available for the upcoming league fixtures against the Reds and the Magpies.

Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz updates

Saka, who is valued at £150 million by Arsenal according to Football Insider, limped off during England's defeat to Greece last week and then missed out against Finland. At the time, Three Lions interim boss Lee Carsley said: "Bukayo would have been close but it would have been unfair to take a risk with him. He’s a positive person and I expect him to be fine."

Meanwhile, in-form Gunner striker Havertz - who signed at the Emirates Stadium for £65 million from Chelsea in June 2023 - missed both of Germany's international matches due to a 'knee problem'. Providing an update on Friday, Arteta said both had a 'good chance' of starting against Bournemouth.

Speaking about Saka, the Arsenal manager said: "It’s not a serious injury. He’s evolving really well. He was maybe well enough to play in the second [England] game.

"He’s done some stuff over the last few days. We are hopeful. We have training this afternoon so let’s see if he can make it on time."

And on Havertz, Arteta added: "He had a few issues but we’re dealing with it. He’s been absolutely brilliant. He has good communication with the national team manager. Again, if he trains well today he has a good chance to play tomorrow."

Martin Odegaard close to Arsenal return

Arsenal will still be without the influential Martin Odegaard against Bournemouth, but the midfielder is progressing in his recovery from an ankle injury with a return to first team football perhaps imminent.

Arteta hinted that Odegaard, who cost Arsenal around £33 million in 2021, could be back in action against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, ahead of those big league fixtures against Liverpool and Newcastle United.

He said: "He is not going to be fit for this game. Next week will be a different story. In the later stages of his rehab, he needs to clear some markers, do some different things, especially with the ball. Next week is crucial to see how close he is.”