Premier League titans’ damage woes and when 18 superstars anticipated to return

Premier League heavyweights Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal are all contending with serious injury problems, but there is some good news for fans amid the doom and gloom.

Arsenal currently have defensive trio Cristhian Mosquera, William Saliba and Jurrien Timber all sidelined. Speaking after the Premier League champion’s win over Chelsea on Sunday, manager Mikel Arteta said Mosquera had a muscular issue but “we think it’s not too much”. and it would be analysed over the next few days.

Timber, who underwent minor groin surgery in the summer, is back in full training and in a “really good place”. But Saliba may be absent for some time yet with his back issues. “We don’t really know the amount of weeks Wilo is going to be out because it’s about a healing process and everything is a bit different – we know we have to respect certain timings. The progression has been really positive in the last few weeks, but we need to wait and see how that one reacts when we start to put some load into it.”

Liverpool have a lengthy injury list, with Cody Gakpo, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Hugo Ekitike, Joe Gomez, Vitezslav Jaros and Giovanni Leoni all unavailable for selection at present – plus a new scare for £123m man Bradley Barcola.

Reds manager Andoni Iraola said Gakpo, who has started the season in fine form, was absent from the win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night because he finished the victory over Ipswich Town on Friday with some “adductor issues”. He said: “Both sides. Nothing specific. [It is] not a proper injury. But we didn’t want to risk him, and I think it makes sense he can rest and hope we can recover him. If it’s not for the weekend, it’s for the next one. But I think even for the weekend he has a chance.”

Ekitike, Bradley and Leoni are all recovering from operations after suffering serious injuries last season and undergoing rehabilitation. It is planned for Giovanni Leoni – sidelined for nearly a year after an ACL tear – to be back working with the squad during the upcoming international break. This should be along with Federico Chiesa, who picked up a muscle problem last month.

Ekitike has shared footage of himself training with a ball at his feet as he closes in on a return from a ruptured Achilles tendon, suffered against Paris Saint-Germain in April. Having missed the World Cup with France, the forward will not be rushed back and is expected to return at the end of the year at the earliest.

Bradley underwent surgery on a significant knee injury suffered away at Arsenal in January. No timescales for his return has been given, but Iraola did comment: “Probably Conor, and especially Hugo, will go later [than the September/October international break], yes.”

Gomez is nearing the end of his recovery from a muscle issue sustained in pre-season in late July and was involved in Tuesday’s preparations at the AXA Training Centre. Jaros meanwhile, who suffered a suspected ACL injury in training while on loan with Ajax last season, which ruled him out of the Czech Republic squad for the World Cup, is undergoing a long-term recovery programme.

Barcola – who did not have a full pre-season – went off injured after an hour against Atletico while holding his calf. Speaking after the game, Iraola said: “It was just cramps, especially with Bradley [Barcola]. We are rushing him, he hasn’t played any minutes in pre-season, but today we decided to ask him to give everything he had.”

Manchester United have been contending with injuries to Marcus Rashford, Carlos Baleba, Amad Diallo, Matthijs de Ligt, Manuel Ugarte, Tom Heaton and Mason Mount. However, Rashford, who was withdrawn in the second half of the 2-2 draw at Everton on Sunday, is expected to be ready for the Champions League clash with Sabah on Thursday night, after he trained in front of the cameras at Carrington.

De Ligt is recovering from a back injury that has plagued him since the early stages of last season. He hasn’t played since the end of November and underwent surgery in May. Red Devils manager Michael Carrick said this week: “It’s positive. He’s trained really well but we’re still managing it, when you’re out for such a long period of time, you get to the final stages, pushing and pushing, and you’ve got to manage that last stage. It’s important to get that balance right to take the next step. But he’s on a good track, in a good place and it’s great to have him back around us. Hopefully, some time soon.”

New £70m man Baleba is yet to kick a ball for United since his arrival from Brighton. He moved to the club while battling a minor ankle injury he suffered in pre-season and is yet to get onto the pitch, but it’s thought he could make a debut in mid to late September.

World Cup star Amad has not featured since picking up a muscular injury in pre-season training. It’s currently unknown as to when the Ivory Coast international will be competing for United again. It’s likely Ugarte will not feature at all for United this season. He sustained a ligament tear in his knee while playing for Uruguay in the World Cup. Heaton has been out with a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season. Similarly to Amad, it’s currently unclear as to when he will be available again.

In a boost for United though, Mason Mount, who is yet to feature at all this season thanks to a knock sustained in a pre-season match against Paris Saint-Germain, has been training with the first team. He was on the bench for the draw at Everton and could feature against Sabah.