A place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals is on the line as Arsenal travel to Deepdale to take on Preston North End in the fourth round.
With their sights set on advancing in the competition, Mikel Arteta’s men face a fresh challenge as they manage injuries to key players.
The Gunners entered the tournament with a dominant 5-1 win over Bolton Wanderers, a game where young star Ethan Nwaneri made headlines with a standout performance.
However, recent Premier League form saw Arsenal settle for a 2-2 draw with Liverpool, with injuries to key players adding further complexity to Arteta’s lineup choices for this Preston vs Arsenal EFL Cup game.
READ MORE: Liverpool injury news ahead of clash against Brighton
As the Gunners prepare for the Preston vs Arsenal clash, Arteta's squad depth will be tested due to injuries impacting both their attacking and defensive options.
Here is a look at the latest Arsenal injury news ahead of clash against Preston in the EFL Cup.
Arsenal injury news ahead of clash against Preston - EFL Cup
Gabriel Magalhaes – Knee Injury (Major Doubt)
- Likely return date: October 30 (vs. Preston)
Gabriel Magalhaes left the field in the second half of Arsenal’s match against Liverpool after experiencing discomfort in his knee. Arteta is reportedly uncertain about the severity of the injury, but Gabriel was seen with ice applied to his knee on the sidelines. His absence could further strain Arsenal’s defensive structure, especially with other key defenders also on the injury list.
Jurrien Timber – Cramp (Minor Doubt)
- Likely return date: October 30 (vs. Preston)
Timber, who recently returned from a muscle issue, appeared to struggle with cramp in the latter stages of the Liverpool clash. Fortunately, his condition does not seem severe, and he remains a strong candidate for inclusion in the starting XI for this Preston vs Arsenal EFL Cup game, as he works towards a full return to fitness.
Riccardo Calafiori – Knee Injury (Out)
- Likely return date: November 26 (vs. Sporting CP)
Riccardo Calafiori is facing an extended absence after sustaining a knee injury in Arsenal’s Champions League encounter with Shakhtar Donetsk. Early reports suggest an MCL issue, though the injury could have been more serious. The left-back’s absence means Arsenal’s options on that side are limited, putting added pressure on other defenders to step up in this Preston vs Arsenal EFL Cup game.
Martin Odegaard – Ankle Injury (Out)
- Likely return date: Unknown
Martin Odegaard’s absence continues as he recovers from an ankle problem. Arteta has confirmed that Odegaard is still far from full fitness, meaning he will not be available for Wednesday’s game. His creativity in midfield will be sorely missed, especially as Arsenal look to navigate through a congested fixture schedule.
Takehiro Tomiyasu – Knee Injury (Out)
- Likely return date: Unknown
Tomiyasu was making progress in his recovery from a serious knee injury before he experienced a setback in a recent game against Southampton. Unfortunately, his return timeline remains unclear. The Japanese international’s versatility in both defensive and midfield roles leave a significant gap in Arteta’s tactical options in this Preston vs Arsenal EFL Cup game.
Kieran Tierney – Hamstring Injury (Out)
Likely return date: Unknown
Having sustained a severe hamstring injury during Euro 2024, Tierney has been sidelined for nearly four months with no definite return date in sight. His recovery has been slow, and with no left-back replacement of the same caliber, Arteta’s plans are further limited in defensive rotations.
What are your thoughts on this latest Arsenal injury news ahead of clash against Preston in the EFL Cup?