Arsenal will look to revive their chances of a top four finish this season by returning to winning ways against Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday, following two successive defeats.
The Gunners lost 2-1 at home to Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend and struggled without three key members of their squad, although Mikel Arteta will be relieved that his side came away unscathed from the defeat.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at the Emirates Stadium and the expected return dates for those currently out injured ahead of the crucial and of season run-in.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Takehiro Tomiyasu is expected to be the first of the trio of injured players to make a return to action. The Japan international has made just two appearances in 2022 and has been out with a calf injury for the best part of two months, having last featured in a match day squad on February 19 for the 2-1 defeat of Brentford.
Yet Arteta previously admitted that he was only included on the bench for that game due to Arsenal ’s lack of options and wasn’t actually fully fit, but after a number of further setbacks, Tomiyasu is edging closer to his first appearance since January, although this weekend looks like it will still come too early for him.
Speaking on April 5, Arteta said: “Takehiro is making progress in his recovery from a muscle injury. It is hoped [that he] will be back in full training after the match at Southampton.”
Thomas Partey
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Midfielder Thomas Partey also looks to be joining Tierney on the long-term injury bench after picking up a “significant injury” during the 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on April 4, in which he damaged one of his thighs and was hauled off with 15 minutes remaining of the tie.
The Ghanaian international subsequently missed out on last weekend’s defeat to Brighton and is ruled out for the foreseeable future, with Arteta suggesting that there may be a small chance he could return to action before the end of the season.
Speaking on April 8, Arteta said: "It is a little bit ambiguous but he has a significant injury. We have to keep assessing him but he’ll be out for some weeks. He could be [back before the season ends].”
Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney’s injury is a huge blow for Arsenal as the first choice left-back looks as though his season is already at risk of being over when it was recently revealed that he will require knee surgery after feeling some discomfort following a training session.
The Scotland international has been ruled out of Arsenal’s last two fixtures and it is clear that the Gunners have missed him during those pair of defeats, and as things stand, it is unknown as to whether Tierney will feature again this season.
Speaking on April 5, Arteta said: “Kieran felt discomfort after a training session on Thurs. A specialist consultation took place, and as a result of further discussions, it has been decided that he requires [knee] surgery.”
