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ARSENAL SQUAD THINNED AS INJURY LIST GROWS BEFORE PALACE VISIT

Arsenal's title charge faces a fitness test as key players Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, and Kai Havertz remain sidelined. Get the latest injury updates and potential return dates ahead of the Crystal Palace clash.

Arsenal Squad Thinned as Injury List Grows Before Palace Visit
Mikel Arteta - COURTESY/PHOTO

Mikel Arteta wants to keep Arsenal at the top of the standings as they get ready to meet Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, marking another crucial point in their Premier League season. Their three-point lead over Manchester City might be strengthened this weekend thanks to their victory in south London earlier in the season. After a convincing 4-0 Champions League victory against Atletico Madrid, confidence is high. Now, attention turns to domestic issues and, most importantly, fitness issues, which still influence team selection.

With two home games in four days at the end of October—against Palace and then Brighton in the Carabao Cup—Arsenal is still in a tough schedule. With a number of significant individuals still awaiting treatment, Arteta must once more deal with important absences.

Odegaard's Continuous Recuperation


Due to fitness issues, Martin Odegaard's impact as captain and creative centre has been limited during his inconsistent season. His campaign was interrupted by a shoulder injury, and while he did play against West Ham upon his comeback, he was sidelined for what Arteta called "weeks" due to a medial collateral ligament issue.

To hasten his recuperation, Odegaard left Norway service during the international break. The serious injury raises questions about his match sharpness once he is cleared to return and could prolong his layoff past a month. His midfield leadership and technical mastery continue to be essential to Arsenal's rhythm, especially during games where accuracy and patience are crucial. The current goal for a comeback is to defeat Tottenham at home on November 23, 2025, which is a significant match.

Possible comeback date: Tottenham (H) on November 23, 2025

Madueke Wants to Get Back on Track


Additionally, Noni Madueke's initial months at Arsenal have been disrupted. After suffering a knee injury against Manchester City, the summer transfer from Chelsea has been unable to adjust to Arteta's method.

Arteta stated, "It appears that he will be absent for a few weeks." "We are not entirely sure yet. We will most likely need to scan him once more the following week.

At the start of the game, he had a feeling. Let us see. He attempted to continue, but at halftime, it was too painful.

Although Madueke had demonstrated hopeful signs of connecting with the midfield and full backs prior to his injury, Arsenal's wide options are still strong. An early boost when the fixture schedule heats up would come from a comeback in November.

Possible date of return: November 2025

Havertz Approaches a Crucial Rehab Stage


Following knee surgery, Kai Havertz has not played since the team's victory over Manchester United on the first day. Although there is a modicum of hope that progress could enable participation prior to the November international window, Arteta has remained cautious on the timing for his return. Havertz's technical adaptability will be useful, especially when modifying game plans to counter opponents with high pressing or low blocks.

Possible date of return: November 2025

Following an ACL injury, Jesus is recovering. 


Due to an ACL injury that required patience and meticulous therapy, Gabriel Jesus has been out of commission since January. Although there have been encouraging developments, Arteta is nevertheless aware of the mental and physical strain of recovering from such a setback.

"Gabi is doing incredibly well," Arteta remarked. He appears to be in a great place, in my opinion. It is a serious injury, of course, and we must recover from it in a big way, but he is undoubtedly doing well and making great progress.

Arsenal has missed his liveliness, aggression in pressing, and mobility in the penalty area. A late 2025 return would give the team much-needed offensive depth before the season's pivotal moment.

Possible date of return: late 2025

PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS: ARSENAL'S WORST GAME SAVED BY DOUBLE STOPPAGE-TIME OWN-GOALS

Mikel Arteta admitted relief after Arsenal snatched a crucial 2-1 win over resilient Wolves via two late own goals, despite delivering their "worst game this season."

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Substitutions Fail to Fire Until Two Late Own-Goals

Mikel Arteta can breathe a sigh of relief after Saturday. Arsenal barely squeaked by with a win against Wolves thanks to a late goal.

Arsenal's play was slow, and they struggled to get past Wolves' solid defense, which stayed back and held strong. Arteta seemed lost as he looked to the bench for solutions as the evening wore on.

It was probably Arsenal's worst game this season. They seemed unprepared. The team lacked speed, and Wolves easily cleared the ball.

Arteta didn't seem to fix anything. There were no changes after halftime, and the game remained slow. He needed to do something, but his subs only seemed to slow things down more.

Wolves haven't been great this season, but on Saturday, they played like a team, working together to stop Arsenal.

Arsenal tried their usual tactic: a corner. Bukayo Saka sent the ball into the box, and it went in unconventionally.

Saka's cross went over everyone, hit the inside of the post, bounced off Sam Johnstone's back, and went over the line.

It looked like Arsenal would pull out an ugly win, one that would keep them ahead of Manchester City and Aston Villa.

But Wolves had other plans. They played better as Arsenal fell back. After a great pass into the box, Wolves tied the game, stunning the Emirates Stadium.

Still, Arsenal didn't give up. Saka sent in another ball, which hit Yerson Mosquera and went into his own net.

It was a tough loss for Wolves but a huge relief for Arsenal, who now have a five-point lead at the top of the league again.

ANALYSIS: ARSENAL ESCAPES WOLVES SCARE VIA TWO OWN-GOALS, WHITE INJURED

Arsenal's title bid gets a massive boost! They defeated Wolves 2-1 with two fortunate own-goals, moving five points clear at the top of the table.

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Own Goals Hand Arsenal Crucial Stoppage-Time Victory

Arsenal grabbed a 2-1 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, thanks to two own goals (the winning goal in stoppage time). This win gives them a five-point lead in the Premier League.

After winning just one of their last three games, Arsenal risked dropping more points when Tolu Arokodare leveled the score for Wolves in the 90th minute. That goal canceled out an earlier own goal in the 70th minute, caused by Wolves' keeper Sam Johnstone.

But Arsenal caught a break. In the fourth minute of added time, Yerson Mosquera, pressured by Gabriel Jesus, headed Saka's cross into his own net, leaving Johnstone stunned.

Manchester City will try to cut Arsenal's lead to two points when they play Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Wolves remain at the bottom of the league, with only two points from 16 games after their ninth straight loss. They're close to matching Sheffield United's record of 17 winless games from the start of a Premier League season.

William Saliba returned for Arsenal after missing four games with an ankle injury. But Arsenal's defense still has problems, as Ben White suffered a hamstring injury.

With Gabriel, Cristhian Mosquera, and Riccardo Calafiori already out, White, who played for only 30 minutes, might be sidelined for a while.

Arsenal aimed to bounce back after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa last weekend. But they had trouble in the first half.

Wolves had the best chance to score in a dull first 45 minutes. Hwang Hee-Chan had space in the box. But his shot was easily saved by David Raya.

Arsenal had a few opportunities, but Johnstone didn't have to make any difficult saves. The fans weren't happy as the halftime whistle blew.

Surprisingly, Arteta didn't make any offensive changes at halftime. But around the 60-minute mark, he brought on Martin Ødegaard, Leandro Trossard, and Mikel Merino, replacing Eberechi Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, and Martín Zubimendi.

Hwang was lucky to avoid a red card for a bad tackle on Myles Lewis-Skelly, which made Arteta angry. The referee, Robert Jones, gave Hwang a yellow card, and VAR didn't take any further action.

In the 66th minute, Johnstone tipped Rice's free kick over the bar. Shortly after, he made a great save to prevent Rice's shot from going in.

But Johnstone then went from hero to zero.

He touched Saka's corner kick onto the post, and the ball bounced off him and into the goal.

Ødegaard's shot hit the side of the net, and Viktor Gyökeres shot wide. Soon after, Gyökeres was replaced by Jesus with 10 minutes remaining. Gyökeres hasn't scored in five games.

Arsenal seemed set to win 1-0. But substitute Arokodare headed in Mateus Mane's cross, tying the game.

But in the fourth of six added minutes, another own goal gave Arsenal the three points. It could be a huge win in their title chase.

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