Arsenal have been handed a huge injury problem ahead of the return of the Premier League this weekend. The Gunners travel to struggling Everton on Sunday afternoon in the first game of a hectic period.
Mikel Arteta's men have come away from the first international break unscathed but a fresh concern has emerged in the build-up to this weekend's clash. According to reports, Bukayo Saka has continued to suffer from an Achilles injury that hampered him last season.
The Hale Ender was named on the bench in England's 3-1 win over Scotland on Tuesday and it has since been claimed that his omission was down to an Achilles issue. Gareth Southgate previously discussed the issue following June's win over North Macedonia, a game which saw Saka net a hat-trick.
"He's had a slightly sore Achilles and it's another one where it would have been easy to lull out on the camp and miss out on a night like this that I'm sure will live with him forever."
He continued: “He’s had it for a few weeks. It is an injury that just needs managing... when you’ve had one of the best nights of your life, it’s a reminder that it’s worth going through these things.”
Arteta is expected to discuss Saka's availability for the weekend in his pre-match press conference. The Spaniard is also expected to be asked about his concerns over Gabriel Magalhaes after his scare for Brazil.
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The defender was forced off on his national team debut before having ice applied to his thigh against Bolivia. However, he returned to the Brazil XI for their win over Peru and played the full 90 minutes alongside matchwinner Marquinhos.
Elsewhere, Mohamed Elneny is seemingly close to his return to action. The Egyptian has been out with a knee injury since January and has not played for the club the FA Cup win over Oxford United. Fortunately for Arsenal, the midfielder has returned to training this week and could be in line to feature on Merseyside.
In terms of players who will miss the trip to Everton, Thomas Partey is set for a spell on the sidelines with his groin issue after it was announced by the Ghanaian FA that he'd suffered a blow in training. It remains to be seen how long the midfielder will spend away from the action.
Jurrien Timber will also miss out following his opening weekend knee injury earlier this season. football.london understands that the Dutch international underwent successful surgery a number of weeks ago and is now in the "recovery phase" of his rehabilitation.
Arteta has already highlighted how the left-back's issue is a 'huge blow' for his side after the Gunners failed to find a short-term replacement in the transfer window.
