Latest Arsenal injury news as six miss Southampton with Jurrien Timber and Ben White update

Latest Arsenal injury news as Mikel Arteta faces an unwanted problem in defence as injuries continue to cause issues

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could welcome back three first-team players for Saturday afternoon's Premier League clash with Southampton.

The Gunners return to league action following Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain. Arteta's men continued their unbeaten start in Europe with an impressive display against the French giants.

This weekend's action is the final game before the international break and Arteta will want to end on a high. After six games, Arsenal are third in the table, one point off league leaders Liverpool.

Saturday sees north London welcome another newly-promoted team in Southampton. Russell Martin's men are currently 19th on one point after losing to AFC Bournemouth on Monday night.

On paper, it should be another comfortable afternoon for Arsenal. However, just as they did in 2023, the Saints have proven to be difficult opponents for the Gunners in years gone by.

Fortunately for Arteta, he may have multiple options to choose from. On Friday, the Spaniard provided a fitness update on Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Timber was forced off with an injury against PSG at half-time while White (groin) and Tomiyasu (knee) have been out for longer.

READ MORE:Mikel Arteta has already revealed Arsenal plan for Mikel Merino as Southampton decision looms

READ MORE:Mikel Arteta has Jurrien Timber alternative available again as Arsenal sweat on star's fitness

"We had to modify training for a lot of players," Arteta said. "It was the same today because of the load that they had. There will be a decision to make this afternoon whether to involve them yes or no. They are close. It's good news."

Unfortunately, Martin Odegaard isn't close to returning from his ankle injury. The playmaker has been out since the last international break and won't return until after this month's, at the very least.

Olekandr Zinchenko has been absent since before the North London derby win over Tottenham with a calf issue. Kieran Tierney (hamstring) is also out meaning Arteta could be without six players.

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