Calafiori, Timber, Gabriel - Arsenal injury news and return dates for Preston North End

After turning to a youthful side for the Carabao Cup third round tie at home to League One outfit Bolton Wanderers last month, Mikel Arteta may well find himself in a similar situation on Wednesday. This time travelling away, Arsenal face Championship opposition in Preston North End.

As Arteta looks to win just his second piece of major silverware at the club, the League Cup takes on added importance. Arsenal's hopes of progressing are being put to the test, though, even with talented academy players to turn to.

Stars such as Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Magalhaes are highly likely to have been rested anyway for the game Along with Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, there are a number of serious doubts for the game.

Ethan Nwaneri and Miles Lewis-Skelly could benefit from this as well. Here, football.london has the latest from the Arsenal treatment with Arteta due to face the press on Tuesday afternoon. This article will be updated with his latest on the squad.

Gabriel Magalhaes

Injury: Knee.

The back of his left knee was hit and despite trying to play on, Arteta had to sub him off shortly after. The Brazilian was spotted with a large ice pack over his knee when sat on the bench.

Posting on his Instagram story, Gabriel was using a compression sleeve on his leg in the aftermath. Online X (formerly Twitter) account, Physio Scout, suggests that he will be out for a matter of weeks.

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"Gabriel Magalhaes went off in Arsenal vs. Liverpool with a knee injury", they write. "He tried to play on, but couldn't. Physio was seen performing a bunch of tests, with the valgus stress test being the most aggravating. This likely indicates an injury to the MCL [medial collateral ligament]. He was also seen palpating around that inner knee area.

"Injury most likely happened in the tangle with Darwin Nunez minutes early, putting stress around the knee joint. Likely it isn't a grade 3 here, more likely a minor or moderate strain to the MCL. Let's hope just a grade 1."

What Arteta has said: "I don’t know but he could not run. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know if it’s the knee joint or the ankle. They’re assessing him now so [touches wood]."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Bukayo Saka

Injury: Hamstring.

Saka returned to the team against Liverpool, starting as captain. He was taken off in the second half but not due to injury.

What Arteta has said: "It tells you he’s been very consistent. He’s been very lucky with injuries [knocks on wood], hopefully that continues. After a few weeks off the way he played and competed was exceptional. I think we had some big, big performances from the team."

What Saka has said: ""I’m feeling good, I felt I could finish the game but obviously the gaffer took me off. Yeah, I felt good."

Possible return date: Returned.

Jurrien Timber

Injury: Unknown.

Like Saka, Timber started against Liverpool but had to be taken off before the end of the match. He appeared to go down with cramp before playing on. That didn't last long, Miles Lewis-Skelly replaced Timber in the second half.

What Arteta has said: "I think we’ve done everything we could to accelerate that process [of him returning]. He was so willing. The team and the medical staff have done a great job. We gave ourselves the chance to compete. I don’t know the extent of the injury if there is one. The same with big Gabi [Gabriel Magalhaes]. Continue to go.

Possible return date: Newcastle (A) - Saturday, November 2.

Riccardo Calafiori

Injury: Knee.

Calafiori was forced off with an injury during the clash at home to Shakhtar Donetsk after slipping in a challenge. Reports in Italy, from Corriere Dello Sport, suggest that he will only be out for several weeks. The issue is not described as being serious.

He did not play any part in the draw to Liverpool.

What Arteta has said: "He needs some more tests. Yesterday he had some, today he’s going to have some more. Last time we thought it was really bad and then he ended up playing two days later."

Possible return date: Newcastle (A) - Saturday, November 2.

Martin Odegaard

Injury: Ankle.

Odegaard suffered an ankle injury during the Nations League match against Austria in September. He was expected to be out for around two months after being assessed, and may be able to return before the next international break.

Speaking after the Liverpool draw, Arteta said that he was still "a bit far away" from playing. He has not been back in training yet.

What Arteta has said: “I don’t think so [Odegaard fit to play Liverpool]. Martin is frustrated and desperate to return. But hopefully this period will teach him some things that are important in life."

What Odegaard said: "I’m feeling better and better each day, but when it’s an ankle injury you have ups and downs as well. Some days you feel really good, and then sometimes you can have a little reaction. But in general it’s getting better and I feel like I’m getting closer now.

"I’ve been doing a lot of work in the gym, and was on an anti-gravity treadmill recently, which is really good because it takes the weight off. Especially at the beginning that was really good, to be running again like that when you’ve been offloading the leg and not using it as much as normal.

"That was a good feeling, helping me get back to moving in a normal way, and being able to run after not being able to do that."

What Norway boss Stale Solbakken has said: "We have a legitimate hope that he is ready [for the November international break]."

Possible return date: Chelsea (A) - Premier League - November 10.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Injury: Unknown.

Tomiyasu was again absent from the matchday squad against Shakhtar Donetsk and Liverpool having also missed the weekend defeat to Bournemouth. He has struggled with injury for most of 2024.

What Arteta has said: "We don’t know [how long he will be out for]. It doesn’t look like, hopefully, a long period but we have to see when he comes back how he reacts to the load and to the impact on the pitch as well.

"But we really need him, he has been incredible, his work rate, the amount of hours he has put in to get back. He did it and he was in great shape - and now he has got something else again. But, we are all behind him. He needs our support and hopefully he will be fine."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Kieran Tierney

Injury: Hamstring.

Tierney remains out of action after suffering a horrible hamstring injury while playing for Scotland at Euro 2024. He is yet to return to training having been expected to leave the club over the summer.

What Arteta has said: "He needs to focus on recovering in the best possible way as it's been a tough time for him again with the last injury. We have to try to support him and make sure he gets back fit."

Return date: Unknown.