Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that defender Oleksandr Zinchenko will miss the next four games due to a calf injury he suffered last month.
The 27-year-old received a knock in the international break and is yet to return to training. He is the latest player to join their busy treatment room this season.
However, other star players like Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have stepped up in his absence. The latter scored a stunning goal in his debut game against Manchester City.
ZINCHENKO EXPECTED INJURY RETURN DATE
Zinchenko is not expected to return pre-international break. Arteta has extinguished hopes of an early return for the Ukrainian star as he said:
“Unfortunately, there will be a few players who are not available. We’ll have to see who’s fit tomorrow. We have to wait on one of them.”
There is no real clarity over the length of the injury, but he won’t be returning for the next few weeks. Earlier it was said that Zinchenko will be out until November, so if he makes himself available after the international break, that will be an earlier return than expected.
The former Man City ace, who recently got his shirt number changed to 17, is yet to start a game this season. Even if he is available soon, it is unlikely that he will displace Timber or Calafiori in the starting XI.
The issue with Tomiyasu and Zinchenko’s persistent injuries is the fact that #Arsenal have to use key players in games like tonight. After the week we’ve had, White, Gabriel, Saliba and Timber should be able to have a night off. Their lack of availability is a real problem. #AFC pic.twitter.com/Dh3iaS9iOr
— Adam Keys (@adamkeys_) September 25, 2024
He will probably gain minutes in other domestic competitions. In his absence, Arteta has placed his trust in youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, and the academy star continues to impress.
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Arsenal need their top players to be fit after the international break as they face Liverpool at the end of October before facing Newcastle United, Inter Milan, and Chelsea at the start of November.
Martin Odegaard is also not expected to return for several weeks. Arsenal will face challenges in the tricky games that lie ahead, but they have a competitive squad to fill the void.
However, they will be hopeful that the injured ones return early and the squad doesn’t lose more important faces in the upcoming games.
