MIKEL ARTETA PROVIDES FRESH INJURY UPDATE AHEAD OF CARABAO CUP QUARTER-FINAL VS CRYSTAL PALACE
Arsenal will hope to boost their attempts to secure success on several fronts over the festive period.
Mikel Arteta’s men host Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday night before a quickfire reunion with the Eagles comes on Saturday evening when the two sides meet at Selhurst Park in the Premier League. A home game against Ipswich Town comes on Friday week before the Gunners 2025 fixtures kick off with a New Years Day meeting with Brentford. That will also kick off the January transfer window and the Gunners have already been linked with several eye-catching names – although one reported target has already delivered a snub to Arteta.
With such a hectic schedule lying in wait over the next two weeks, Arteta will be hoping for some positive news on the injury front as several key players continue in their bid to return to contention for what is always regarded as a key part of the season. Ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie with Palace, we take a look at the latest injury news and the possible return dates from across the Gunners squad.
Declan Rice
The 62-times capped England midfielder, who will be key in the Three Lions’ bid for success under Thomas Tuchel, was replaced just after the hour-mark in the weekend draw with Everton with what Arteta described as ‘a little niggle’. Rice will surely be rested for the midweek Carabao Cup tie with Palace but could return to contention for Premier League clash against the Eagles on Saturday evening. Speaking about the midfielder, Arteta said: “Well, with Declan, I had to take him out… He has been with a little niggle for the last week or so. He has to be subbed in that moment. We have to do it.” Possible return date: This weekend.
Ben White
White has not appeared in the Premier League since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal and has since undergone surgery on a serious knee injury. Speaking last month, Arteta said: “Ben is going to be out for months. We had to make a decision in the last few weeks, unfortunately. It got to a point where we had to protect the player, and we decided to do the surgery.” Possible return date: Mid-March 2025.
Riccardo Calafiori
The summer signing has picked up a knee injury that has kept him on the sidelines over the last three weeks and is slowly making his way back towards full fitness. Speaking over the weekend, Arteta admitted he would ‘respect the times set by the medical department’ at the club – but stressed Calafiori is ‘getting very close’ to being back in contention. Possible return date: This weekend.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
The versatile defender has made just one appearance in the Premier League this season after coming off the bench during the final stages of a 3-1 home win against Southampton in October. Tomiyasu has continued to be hampered in his attempts to return from a knee injury and was given time away from the club to ‘give him the best opportunity to try and unlock something’ in his bid to get back in contention. Possible return date: Unknown.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
The Ukraine international has not featured in the Premier League since the 2-0 home win against Manchester United earlier this month after picking up a knock but is expected to be back in contention for the festive period. Possible return date: This weekend.
