Arsenal injury, suspension news and return dates for Atalanta BC: Odegaard, Saka

Arsenal return to action on Thursday evening when they commence their Champions League campaign with a showdown against the 2023-24 Europa League winners Atalanta BC.

The Gunners started a difficult three-game stretch in the space of a week by edging out Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday's North London derby.

However, while Mikel Arteta will be able to welcome back Declan Rice, who was suspended for that game, the Spaniard has more injury concerns ahead of the trip to Italy.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Atalanta, who have endured a mixed start in this season's Serie A.

Martin Odegaard

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

Victim of a nasty ankle sprain during Norway's UEFA Nations League showdown with Austria, captain Martin Odegaard is expected to spend three weeks minimum on the sidelines. Arteta has since revealed that the midfielder suffered ligament damage and is in line to be absent for at least a number of weeks.

Riccardo Calafiori

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Calf Possible return date: September 19 (vs. Atalanta)

Arsenal's second casualty of the international break, Riccardo Calafiori sustained a bizarre calf injury when France's Ousmane Dembele unintentionally whacked him after being tackled himself. The ex-Bologna man withdrew from the Azzurri squad a day later, but that was thought to have been more precautionary than anything else. Despite missing the North London derby, he should return here.

Mikel Merino

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

Speaking of freak injuries, Mikel Merino fractured his shoulder in his first Arsenal training session after feeling the full force of Gabriel Magalhaes landing on him, and it will be a few weeks before he is considered for a debut.

Bukayo Saka

Status: Minor doubt Type of injury: Unknown Possible return date: September 19 (vs. Atalanta)

Bukayo Saka became the latest Arsenal casualty when needing to be withdrawn during the back end of the North London derby. However, Arteta has since revealed that the winger should be fine to feature in Bergamo.

Takehiro Tomiyasu

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

The luckless Takehiro Tomiyasu has been in the treatment room with a knee problem since the start of pre-season, and as he is still yet to return to training, there is no timeframe on his return.

Kieran Tierney

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

Likewise, Kieran Tierney - who was expected to leave in the summer - is still recovering from the hamstring problem he picked up at the Euros, and it is not clear when he might be back in action.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Status: Major doubt Type of injury: Calf Possible return date: Unknown

Oleksandr Zinchenko could have deputised in midfield at the weekend, only to return from international duty with Ukraine with a calf injury. As it stands, it is unclear when he may return.