Arsenal injury, suspension list and return dates for Girona: Odegaard, Merino, Saka latest

Needing just a solitary point to guarantee Champions League last-16 qualification, Arsenal head to the Iberian Peninsula to meet Spanish upstarts Girona in their closing league phase battle on Wednesday evening.

Mikel Arteta's men are on the cusp of sealing a top-eight finish thanks to their 3-0 success over Dinamo Zagreb last week, which kept them third in the 36-team table behind already-qualified Liverpool and Barcelona.

The Gunners managed to carry that momentum forward into Saturday's Premier League affair with Wolverhampton Wanderers, prevailing by one goal to nil despite Myles Lewis-Skelly's contentious first-half red card.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Girona, who have just three UCL points on the board and have already been knocked out.

Martin Odegaard

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Illness Possible return date: January 29 (vs. Girona)

Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard woke up ill on the morning of the Wolves win and had to be sent home, although there is a good chance that he will fight off his bug in time for Wednesday's game having trained earlier in the week.

Mikel Merino

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Knock Possible return date: January 29 (vs. Girona)

Likewise, Mikel Merino was an unexpected absentee from the trip to Molineux after sustaining a knock in training, but he is also expected to make a swift return in his homeland.

Gabriel Jesus

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

Gabriel Jesus is taking the first steps in his long road to recovery from an ACL tear, one that could render him unavailable until the latter stages of 2025.

Bukayo Saka

Status: Out Type of injury: Hamstring Possible return date: April 1 (vs. Fulham)

In contrast, Bukayo Saka should be back from his hamstring problem before the season draws to a close, but it will still be another couple of months before he is fit and available again.

Ben White

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: February 15 (vs. Leicester City)

Arteta recently revealed that Ben White was "very close" to returning to team training after knee surgery, and while this game will come too soon for the Englishman, he is on track to return at some stage in February.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Status: Out Type of injury: Knee Possible return date: Unknown

Takehiro Tomiyasu is also making steady progress in his recovery from a second knee injury of the season, but Arsenal have not set an estimated comeback date for the Japan international.