Full Breakdown
Arsenal Injury Update Ahead of Everton Clash
3/14/2026, 10:31:21 PM
Current Squad Status and Key Injuries
Ahead of Arsenal's Premier League match against Everton, manager Mikel Arteta provided an update on the fitness of key players Martin Odegaard and Leandro Trossard. Both players missed the recent Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen, with Odegaard dealing with a persistent knee issue and Trossard suffering from a hip problem. Arteta confirmed that there are no new injury concerns following the 1-1 draw in Germany, but the availability of Odegaard and Trossard remains uncertain as they will undergo late assessments before the match on Saturday evening.
Injury Details
Martin Odegaard has been sidelined since sustaining a knee injury during a match against Brentford last month. Despite a brief return to action, he has missed the last four games. Leandro Trossard, on the other hand, limped off during Arsenal's FA Cup victory over Mansfield Town and did not feature in the Champions League match. Arteta stated, “If you're not 100 percent then you cannot play,” emphasizing the importance of player fitness.
Mikel Merino is the only long-term absentee for Arsenal, recovering from foot surgery, which is expected to keep him out until the latter stages of the season. Meanwhile, Ben White has returned to fitness and could contribute against Everton.
Official Statements & Responses
Arteta expressed optimism regarding the squad's overall health, noting that aside from Merino, the team is close to full strength as they approach the final stretch of the season. He mentioned the importance of managing player minutes effectively, especially with upcoming international duties. “We have really good communication with most of [the national team managers] and we have a thorough decision just like they do on how we’re doing,” Arteta stated.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the positive outlook, concerns have been raised regarding Odegaard's recurring knee issues, which some reports suggest could lead to a potential exit from the club in the summer. Additionally, there are worries among fans about the team's performance without Trossard, particularly regarding Gabriel Martinelli's ability to fill the gap left by the Belgian's absence.
What's Next
Arsenal will host Everton at the Emirates Stadium, aiming to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League table. Following the match against Everton, the Gunners will face Bayer Leverkusen again and then prepare for the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City. The outcomes of these matches will be crucial as Arsenal seeks to secure silverware this season.
Verbatim Quotes
“Let's see. We will have to speak to the doctors to see whether they are involved or not.” — Mikel Arteta, Arsenal Manager
“Yeah he felt something and if you're not 100 per cent then you cannot play.” — Mikel Arteta, on Leandro Trossard's fitness
“Obviously, it's a long process. You're talking about bone healing, so you need to be patient. You respect the timings, and I'm sure Mikel is going to do everything that he possibly can to speed up the process. We're talking about months, whether it's three, four or five, we don't know.” — Mikel Arteta, on Mikel Merino's recovery
