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Mikel Arteta's Arsenal side have made a strong start to the season, but injuries are beginning to bite at a crucial stage of the campaign.
The Gunners' squad depth has already been tested in recent weeks and the upcoming fixtures will provide an even sterner challenge.
With several key players still unavailable, the coming weeks could define Arsenal's ambitions across multiple competitions.
Martin Odegaard
The Norway international has endured a disrupted campaign, with shoulder problems already limiting his minutes before a knee issue forced him off in the first half of Arsenal’s 2-0 win over West Ham on October 4.
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Odegaard, 26, was diagnosed with a medial collateral ligament injury following a clash of knees with Crysencio Summerville and has since withdrawn from Norway duty.
That absence is now expected to stretch until after the mid-November break, meaning Odegaard will sit out league matches against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland, plus Champions League clashes with Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague.
His availability for the north London derby against Tottenham on November 23 remains uncertain.
Kai Havertz
The German international has managed just one appearance this season after undergoing knee surgery in August. Arteta has described his recovery as a "weeks to months" process, with no clear timetable set.
While the midfielder is making progress, he is not expected to feature again in 2025. Arsenal are instead targeting a late-year or early 2026 return.
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus continues his recovery from a torn ACL suffered last season. The striker has stepped up training on grass but was omitted from the Gunners' Champions League squad, a strong sign he will not be fit before the turn of the year.
Like Havertz, Jesus is projected for a late 2025 or early 2026 comeback as Arsenal take a cautious approach with his rehabilitation.
Noni Madueke
Summer signing Noni Madueke enjoyed a lively start to life at the Emirates before a knee injury struck during last month's 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
Arteta confirmed Madueke "wasn’t well enough to continue" after coming off at half-time in that match.
He was not included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, though Thomas Tuchel suggested he would have been in contention as a replacement for Bukayo Saka if fit.
Madueke is expected to be back in early November.
Piero Hincapie
Arsenal fans are still waiting for their first real glimpse of Piero Hincapie.
The Ecuadorian defender has been hampered by a groin problem since joining from Bayer Leverkusen, with only one substitute appearance to his name.
Arteta confirmed before the West Ham win that Hincapie would be available after the current international break.
That puts him in contention to return at Fulham on October 18.
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