Arsenal Injury News and Return Dates Ahead of Chelsea Carabao Cup Clash
Arsenal are gearing up for a crucial Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea on Tuesday night, following a 3-2 first-leg victory at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners, who currently lead the Premier League table after 24 fixtures, secured a 4-0 win away at Leeds United over the weekend, maintaining their position ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa. As the team prepares for this pivotal match, here is the latest injury news and potential return dates for key players.
Mikel Merino's Foot Injury and Recovery Timeline
Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has suffered a significant foot injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined for an extended period. The injury occurred towards the end of the game against Manchester United, with subsequent assessments confirming a bone injury in his right foot. Merino is scheduled for surgery in the coming days, and while the club hopes for a return before the end of the season, an exact return date remains uncertain at this stage. In an official statement, Arsenal shared: "Further to sustaining a foot injury towards the end of our game v MUFC, subsequent assessments have confirmed Mikel has a bone injury in his right foot. Mikel will have surgery in the coming days... he is expected to be out of action for an extended period, with the aim of returning to training before the end of the season."
Bukayo Saka's Fitness Assessment Ahead of Chelsea Match
Winger Bukayo Saka will undergo a fitness assessment ahead of the Chelsea clash after picking up a niggle during the warm-up before the Leeds match on Saturday. Arsenal will need to evaluate his condition to determine if he is fit to start against the Blues. Manager Mikel Arteta commented on the situation: "So in the warm-up he had a little niggle. He wasn't comfortable to start the game so immediately we made a decision to make that change and bring Noni (Madueke) in and he was ready, because you cannot do that in two minutes. The way he prepares, the way he waited for an opportunity, I think it paid off today. He really impacted the team." Potential return dates for Saka are currently unknown, pending further checks.
Max Dowman's Expected Return and Future Prospects
Arsenal remain without winger Max Dowman, who is recovering from a foot issue. The 16-year-old, an England youth international, is expected to return later this month, but the club will not take any risks and will only play him when he is fully available. Arteta provided an update on Dowman's progress: "Obviously, he's growing, and we need to be very careful and a little bit more protective. He has a different schedule as well because he needs to go to school, so we need to respect a lot of things throughout that process. But I think he's quite close. He's on the pitch now, he's doing well and hopefully we're going to be able to see him soon." Dowman, who recently signed a professional deal, has made five appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, including two in the league, and is seen as a promising talent for the future. His potential return date is set for February.
