Premier League injury news round-up: Bukayo Saka in fitness race for Arsenal, Reece James and Son Heung-min return

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A number of Arsenal attackers face a race to be fit for their Premier League fixture against Bournemouth on Saturday, whilst there is negative news in relation to Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire from Erik ten Hag at Manchester United. Aston Villa's Tyrone Mings, Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min and Chelsea's Reece James are all set to return to action this weekend.

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Arsenal: Saka ‘evolving really well’

After being forced off during England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece last week, Mikel Arteta told journalists that Bukayo Saka’s injury “is not serious”.

“He’s evolving really well, he’s done a few things over the last two days," Arteta said.

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“He really wasn’t fit enough to play with the national team, the second game, but we are hopeful. We have a training session this afternoon. He did some bits yesterday, so let’s see if he can make it on time.“

Arteta added that Kai Havertz has a “good chance to be fit and available” after missing international duty with Germany through injury.

Arsenal will decide whether to “take the risk” with Gabriel Martinelli after the winger sat out Brazil’s 4-0 win over Peru due to injury.

The game will come too soon for Martin Odegaard, however. Arsenal’s captain has been unavailable since September 9, but Arteta confirmed the midfielder will return before the next international break in three weeks.

“He’s not going to be fit for this game,” Arteta said. “Next week will be a different story. I think next week will be crucial to see how close he is.”

Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko all remain unavailable, but Arteta stated: “They are quite close, the three of them.”

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Manchester United: Mainoo to miss ‘weeks’ through muscle injury

Erik ten Hag confirmed that Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire will miss Manchester United’s game against Brentford on Saturday.

Full-back Noussair Mazraoui is available for selection, though, after battling illness.

“Kobbie and Harry are out for a couple of weeks, but Mazraoui is good news,” Ten Hag said.

“He has returned on the training pitch and is available tomorrow. Injuries do not help, for sure, you need players available to perform.“

Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo both missed international duty with Argentina and Ivory Coast, respectively, and will be doubts for this weekend's game despite returning to training.

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Chelsea: James in contention for Liverpool clash

Enzo Maresca confirmed that Reece James has a chance of featuring in The Blues’ weekend fixture away to Liverpool, adding he has a fully fit squad to choose from.

It would be James’ first competitive game of the 2024/25 season, after suffering an injury in pre-season.

“We have all the squad available apart from the suspended ones,” Maresca said at his Friday press conference.

“[James] is available. Finally, he is back. He worked with us all the international break and it's good news, especially for him because the injury is not a good feeling. So, finally, he is back.”

Tottenham Hotspur: Son and Richarlison close to return

Ange Postecoglou hopes that attacking duo Son Heung-min and Richarlison could be fit and available for Spurs’ London derby against West Ham United, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Son has been unavailable after being forced off in Tottenham’s 3-0 win over Qarabag in the Europa League on 26 September, while Richarlison has been sidelined since the end of August.

“Sonny and Richy have done some good work and trained with the group, which is a real positive for us,” said Postecoglou.

“Sonny was always, hopefully, going to get through this international break really well and be ready, and Richy's done some good work, so hopefully both will be available for the weekend.“

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Aston Villa: Mings back after ACL injury

Both Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara have been declared fit by Unai Emery as Villa prepare to face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Mings has missed over 400 days of action since a cruciate ligament tear in August 2023.

“Progressively, they are getting better, of course,” Emery told journalists on Friday.

“Kamara and Mings, for this match, they are available, and they are going to try with us for Fulham. I think it’s the first time this year we are, more or less, with every player available to play.”

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