Overview

• Arsenal confirmed an MCL injury after the Oct. 4 knee-to-knee clash, but set no timeline; the BBC now reports his return is expected only after the mid-November window.
• He is set to miss league games against Fulham, Crystal Palace, Burnley and Sunderland plus Champions League ties with Atletico Madrid and Slavia Prague.
• His availability for the first match after the break, the north London derby on Nov. 23, remains uncertain.
• Defensive cover is improving, with Piero Hincapie expected to be available for the Fulham trip following his groin issue.
• Arsenal are also managing other absences, with Noni Madueke tracking toward early November and longer recoveries for Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.