Arsenal injury update: Declan Rice, David Raya, Martin Odegaard latest news and return dates

Arsenal face further key injury concerns ahead of their midweek trip to Brighton in the Premier League.

Mikel Arteta’s leaders quickly restored their five-point advantage in the title race by edging 10-man Chelsea 2-1 in a dramatic set-piece battle at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, responding immediately after rivals Manchester City – who still have a game in hand – had won narrowly at Leeds.

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It was far from the finest of Arsenal’s victories as David Raya was forced into a number of quality saves and defenders William Saliba and Jurrien Timber both scored in the corners either side of a Piero Hincapie own goal, but a crucial result nonetheless with their title bid now firmly back on track after a recent wobble as they followed up last weekend’s 4-1 demolition of rivals Tottenham by passing another test of the London derby.

However, the victory may have come at a cost as Declan Rice went off injured in the second half of a match that Martin Odegaard and Ben White both completely missed, with Raya also revealing he struggled to prepare for an inspired display.

The Gunners at least have Kai Havertz back after four games with a hamstring problem as he came off the bench against his former club.

Here’s all the latest Arsenal injury news ahead of Wednesday night’s meeting with Brighton, which is followed before the March international break by the Champions League last-16 two-legged tie against Bayer Leverkusen plus an FA Cup fifth-round trip to Mansfield and a high-profile clash with Everton – plus the small matter of the Carabao Cup final showdown against Manchester City.

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Declan Rice

Rice was present as usual in Arsenal’s midfield engine room against Chelsea, providing the corner which was headed in by Timber for the winning goal with just under 25 minutes remaining.

However, it was the first time since the 2-0 home win over Brentford on December 3 – where he suffered a calf problem – that the England star failed to finish a Premier League match he started.

Rice appeared to alter something after rushing to extinguish the danger posed by Chelsea on the right side as he then skewed a poor back pass straight out of play.

He didn’t seem to move particularly well after that and was replaced by Christian Norgaard in the 76th minute.

“Declan has to be replaced so he’s going to have to be checked and see if he’s available for Wednesday, unfortunately,” Arteta said after the match.

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Arsenal fans will be hoping the durable Rice can return as quickly as he did in December, when he was back straight after the knock against Brentford.

Potential return date: Unknown pending further assessment, potentially Wednesday March 4, against Brighton (A)

David Raya

Raya was superb against Chelsea, making a series of brilliant saves to deny Alejandro Garnacho, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro, and preventing a potential Rice own goal.

However, he sat on the pitch and was treated late before going on and finishing the match with these heroics in stoppage time.

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Asked about it afterwards, Arteta said: “I don’t know what happened in that action.

“He had a few issues this week so I don’t know if that’s related to that. But overall, very happy.”

Raya should do just fine against Brighton. If he is not, MP Kepa Arrizabalaga will replace him.

Potential return date: Wednesday March 4, against Brighton (A)

Martin Odegaard

It was a surprise to see the influential Arsenal captain completely absent from the team sheet against Chelsea after returning from a knee injury to the Spurs bench, having missed the disastrous draw against Wolves and Wigan’s FA Cup defeat.

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He didn’t even make the bench to continue an injury-plagued campaign in which he suffered shoulder and knee problems.

“Unfortunately, Martin still doesn’t feel completely comfortable with this knee injury, and we decided not to risk him,” Arteta explained on Odegaard ahead of the win against Chelsea.

It remains to be seen whether Odegaard will take a risk against Brighton.

Potential return date: Unknown, potentially Wednesday March 4, against Brighton (A)

Ben White

White was also completely absent against Chelsea, who missed the north London derby with an unspecified minor knock.

“Let’s see,” was Arteta’s only update on the versatile defender ahead of the weekend, with no place in the squad coming up.

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Like Odegaard, it is unclear at this stage whether he will be in contention to face former club Brighton this week.

Potential return date: Unknown, potentially Wednesday March 4, against Brighton (A)

Mikel Merinos

Merino is a long-term absentee from Arsenal after undergoing surgery last month following a rare and serious foot injury suffered during the shock home defeat to Manchester United on January 25.

The Spaniard has been ruled out for an “extended period” and it remains to be seen whether he will play again this season.

“Well, I think the doctors were really happy with the way it went,” Arteta said recently. “Yeah, now it starts. Obviously it’s a long process.

“You’re talking about bone healing, so you have to be patient. You respect the timings, and I’m sure Mikel will do everything he can to speed up the process.

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“We’re talking months, whether it’s three, four or five, we don’t know.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Max Dowman

The Arsenal teenage sensation has not made a senior appearance since becoming the youngest player in Champions League history when coming off the bench against Slavia Prague in early November.

Not yet a starter in the matchday squad anyway, amid fierce competition for places he injured his ankle ligaments while playing in an under-21 match against Manchester United at St George’s Park in December.

He committed his future to Arsenal during his time away and has been back training at London Colney for some time, stepping up his return by playing the first 45 minutes for the U21s on Friday night against Ipswich in Premier League 2 before leaving at half-time in a pre-planned move.

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If he is fit enough and provided there are no setbacks this week, it seems possible that Dowman could be involved in Arsenal’s trip to face third-tier Mansfield in the FA Cup.

Potential return date: Saturday March 7, against Mansfield (A)