Arsenal: Arteta reveals return dates for Saka, Trossard and Martinelli

Several Arsenal stars are out with injury ahead of their Carabao Cup clash against Brentford.

Mikel Arteta offered fitness updates on five Arsenal players during a press conference ahead of his side’s trip to Brentford.

Arsenal was given a major injury scare when Bukayo Saka limped off the pitch in the final minutes of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham this weekend.

Arteta has revealed the England international could miss Arsenal’s upcoming game in the Carabao Cup.

“He was limping quite badly after the match,” Arteta told reporters. “We had to get him off the field, which is never a good sign and he wasn’t able to participate in the [training] sessions.”

Asked about Declan Rice, Arteta insisted the midfielder’s back issue “is not something big” but didn’t offer a clear return date.

Leandro Trossard, who suffered a hamstring injury in training last Saturday, will miss the game against Brentford. However, he could be back for his side’s next Premier League match against Bournemouth. Gabriel Martinelli has a similar situation after suffering a hamstring injury against Everton earlier this month.

There were no updates regarding Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber’s injuries. The latter won’t return before 2024, but Partey will most likely recover in time for Arsenal’s Champions League game against Lens next Tuesday.