Bukayo Saka injury latest as update given on six Arsenal stars ahead of Man City clash

Mikel Arteta has provided a fresh update on Bukayo Saka's fitness and revealed the Arsenal forward could be back available for Sunday's mouth-watering visit from Manchester City.

Saka hasn't featured since last month's 5-0 win at home to Leeds United after injuring his hamstring. At the time, Arteta said that the 23-year-old would be out for a "couple of weeks".

He missed the trip to Liverpool, both England games during the September international and the most recent two matches since the two-break hiatus. There have been rumours that Saka could return for Arsenal's clash with City and Arteta hinted that he could be back available.

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When asked about Saka and Ben White, both of whom didn't feature against Athletic Club, Arteta said in his pre-match press conference: "If there is a chance, it will be after tomorrow's session as they haven't done anything yet, so we'll have more information tomorrow."

White was back on the bench for the Forest game following a knock, but he was left out of the matchday squad for the midweek Champions League win at San Mames with an unspecified issue.

Viktor Gyokeres and Mikel Merino picked up head injuries in the 2-0 success in Bilbao on Tuesday but both players are fit to take on City. "Yeah they are fine, they will be available," Arteta added.

William Saliba sustained an issue against Liverpool before the international break. On Saliba's fitness, Arteta said: "Let's see, obviously he has been carrying an injury. He's done really well to be available for the last match. He's really pushing it, so we'll decide tomorrow what's the best start."

Meanwhile, Odegaard was forced off in the first half of last Saturday's 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest after suffering another shoulder injury. Speaking post-match, Arteta revealed that it was the same shoulder the Norwegian, who didn't feature in Bilbao on Tuesday, injured against Leeds.

Adding more on Saka, Odegaard and White, Arteta finished: "Because everything has been modified so far for them and there's still a few things to clear and tomorrow we'll have more information whether they are part of the squad, they have a chance to be part of the squad or not."

Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus remain as Arsenal's long-term absentees.

Havertz injured his knee during the opening weekend win at Manchester United and is set to be out for at least another eight weeks, while Jesus is facing a race against fit to feature again before the end of 2025 after rupturing his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).