Zinchenko, Smith Rowe, Elneny: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Liverpool clash

It’s gameday! Arsenal are back in Premier League action today as they host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in a huge clash. The Gunners now sit second after Man City beat Southampton 4-0 to leapfrog them in the table. To claim back top spot this weekend they must get all three points today.

The performances and results earned so far by Arsenal have meant that many have tipped them to challenge for the title this campaign. While it’s still early days, the clash against the Merseyside outfit may be an ideal test of their credentials to be candidates for the championship.

With the need to be at the top of their game, the news of some key returns to the squad will come as ideal news before the clash, however, there are still set to be a few absences. With that said, here’s a look at the latest Arsenal injury news ahead of Liverpool.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Oleksandr Zinchenko missed Arsenal training yesterday ahead of the match. Now, it should be noted that this doesn’t necessarily mean he has been ruled out for Arsenal against Liverpool, as this was the case prior to the Manchester United game last month, and he, of course, started at Old Trafford. The decision was taken as a precaution rather than a serious injury football.london understands. The Ukraine international wasn’t involved with the squad for the victory midweek against FK Bodø/Glimt.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Tomiyasu has struggled to get into the Arsenal team this season, with a mixture of competition and injury preventing a regular place in the side. While on international duty, the Japanese FA confirmed that he had made an early return to London Colney in a statement, claiming it was down to ‘club circumstances’.

While there was no known injury, he was on the bench from the start of the Tottenham clash and came on late into the game. The defender was handed his second start of the season against Bodo/Glimt and avoided picking up another injury during the clash.

Cedric Soares

Cedric has fully recovered from the injury he picked up last week, featuring on the bench in the clash against Bodo/Glimt. The defender has been unable to pick up any minutes so far this season due to injury but will be available to be called upon if required after a full recovery.

Reiss Nelson

Nelson returned to the matchday squad against Spurs and made his first appearance of the season in the Europa League game against Bodo/Glimt from the bench. The youngster struggled with injury early in the season and is yet to force his way into the side since his loan spell at Dutch side Feyenoord.

Mohamed Elneny

Mohamed Elneny is suffering from a hamstring injury which he picked up against Fulham last month. It’s likely to keep him out until roughly the new year, with Arteta describing the injury as ‘long term’.

With a busy fixture schedule ahead, the Gunners will be keen to have the Egypt international involved once again, though there is no return date currently set for the midfielder.

Expected return date: Unknown

Emile Smith Rowe

Arsenal youngster Emile Smith Rowe has struggled to get his season underway so far, suffering with injury from pre-season before making his return from the bench against Manchester United. That didn’t last too long, though, with the winger struggling with another knock in the warm-down.