Arsenal’s schedule is shifting gears over the next week, with attention temporarily moving away from the Premier League title race and towards knockout football.
Cup ties often provide momentum and rhythm, something Mikel Arteta will be eager to maintain as Arsenal prepare for an FA Cup fifth round clash with Mansfield and a Champions League last 16 first leg against Bayer Leverkusen.
The mood around the squad remains largely positive following the midweek win over Brighton. However, injuries continue to hover in the background, particularly involving key figures such as William Saliba and Martin Odegaard. Their availability could influence how Arsenal approach these upcoming fixtures.
William Saliba Injury Situation
William Saliba’s absence against Brighton raised eyebrows among Arsenal supporters. The French defender was not seen in training images before the match, which prompted speculation online before the team news confirmed he would miss the game.
Saliba has become a cornerstone of Arsenal’s defensive structure, combining calm distribution with excellent positioning. His absence, even for a short spell, inevitably sparks concern.
Fortunately for Arsenal, the issue appears relatively minor. Saliba sustained the injury during the recent clash with Chelsea but managed to complete the match before the discomfort worsened afterwards.
Mikel Arteta explained the situation clearly after the Brighton victory.
“He turned his ankle against Chelsea. He managed to finish the game somehow, but he was too sore to play today.”
The expectation inside the club is that Saliba will sit out the FA Cup trip to Mansfield as a precaution. The current target for his return is the Champions League meeting with Bayer Leverkusen on March 11. If that timeline holds, Arsenal should have their first choice centre back pairing available for a crucial European night.
Martin Odegaard Fitness Update
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has endured a stop start run with injuries this season, something that has disrupted the rhythm of the midfield.
The Norwegian playmaker recently returned from a knee issue, appearing from the bench in the north London derby against Tottenham. That cameo suggested progress, although he was absent from the squad for the previous fixtures against Wolves and Wigan.
Arteta offered a cautious update ahead of the Brighton match.
“We have to wait and see how comfortable he is to do certain actions,” said Arteta.
The club opted not to risk Odegaard against Brighton, a decision that reflects how central he is to Arsenal’s attacking play. His ability to dictate tempo, press aggressively and link midfield with attack makes him one of the most influential players in the squad.
The FA Cup tie against Mansfield could provide an opportunity for Odegaard to return, although Arsenal will likely prioritise his fitness ahead of the Champions League trip to Germany.
Ben White and Defensive Depth
Ben White has also been missing in recent matches after picking up a minor knock. The versatile defender, who has operated both at right back and centre back this season, was absent against Chelsea and did not feature in the north London derby.
Arteta remained brief when discussing White’s condition, offering little detail beyond confirming his unavailability.
“Let’s see,” was the only update from Arteta on the versatile defender ahead of the weekend.
White was also ruled out of the Brighton game, leaving his return date unclear. Arsenal will hope the issue proves short term, particularly with a packed run of fixtures approaching.
Cup Focus Offers Arsenal Opportunity
With the Premier League title race temporarily paused for nine days, Arsenal have a chance to build momentum through the FA Cup and Champions League. Squad management will be crucial, especially with players such as William Saliba and Martin Odegaard nearing returns.
Arteta’s approach in the coming days will likely balance caution with ambition. Rotate where necessary, protect key players, and ensure Arsenal remain competitive across multiple fronts.
If Saliba and Odegaard return on schedule, Arsenal could enter the decisive weeks of the season close to full strength, which is exactly what any title contender needs at this stage of the campaign.