Odegaard, Madueke, Rice - Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Fulham clash

The second international break is over, and players will now be heading back to their clubs to prepare for the return of the Premier League.

For Arsenal, a short trip to Fulham is in store as they look to maintain their place at the top of the table. Mikel Arteta will be hoping that the players who have been on international duty don't return with any knocks that could rule them out of action.

But the break has also give players on the treatment table a chance to step up their recovery with the aim of being back in action sooner rather than later.

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With that in mind, here's a look at the latest injury news from the Emirates Stadium.

Martin Odegaard

Injury: Knee

The club captain suffered the injury during the 2-0 win over West Ham United before the international break. It led him to withdraw from international duty for Norway.

Arsenal confirmed that he sustained a medial collateral ligament injury. It has since been reported that he could be on the sidelines until after the November international break.

What Arteta has said: "I just spoke to him," Arteta said after the West Ham game. "He's not positive about it. He's got a brace on. We'll have to wait and see from the doctors, but we haven't been very lucky with that either.

"We haven't had him since the start of the season for one reason or the other. The shoulder twice and then this injury.

"We'll have to wait and see the extent of that injury, and we'll find solutions, but obviously he's our captain and is a player that gives us a completely different dimension with the things that he can do, especially in attacking."

Potential return date: vs Tottenham (H) 23 November.

Noni Madueke

Injury: Knee

The winger has missed the last three weeks with a knee injury. It has been reported that he could be out until after the November international break.

What Arteta said: "It looks he's going to be out for a few weeks. We don't know [how long] yet. We're probably going to have to scan him next week again. He felt something at the beginning of the match, he tried to carry on, and at half-time, he was too sore, so let’s see." (Sep 23).

Potential return date: vs Tottenham (H) 23 November

Declan Rice

Injury: Back

The midfielder was withdrawn in the latter stages of the win against West Ham with a back problem. In a big boost to Arsenal, Rice recovered to be able to play an hour of England’s World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Tuesday night.

What Arteta said: "Well, he's not alright because he asked me to come off,” he said after the West Ham match. “So that's a shame. So, he had pain in his back and he could not carry on, which is something very unusual for Declan, so we'll have to assess him and see how he is."

Potential return date: vs Fulham (A) 18 October

Piero Hincapie

Injury: Groin

The defender has made just one appearance for Arsenal, but is now stepping up his recovery from a groin injury.

What Arteta has said: "He will be available after the international break," he said before the West Ham game. "This game came too fast."

Potential return date: vs Fulham (A) 18 October

Kai Havertz

Injury: Knee

The attacker is continuing his rehabilitation work to come back from a knee injury. The German star picked up the issue on the opening weekend of the season before undergoing surgery.

What Arteta has said: "I think we’re taking it from weeks to months. But knowing Kai, I cannot give you any timescale because I know what he's going to try to do.

"So I think he's in a good moment. It was a very tough decision for him to go and have that procedure done. But I think it was necessary and it was the right decision from the medical team to persuade him to do that."

Potential return date: December

Gabriel Jesus

Injury: Knee

The striker looks to be closing in on a return to action in the coming weeks, but it's clear that the Gunners won't rush him back into the team with the Brazilian star being out since January.

Jesus is back out on the grass as he steps up his return, but it could still be some time before we see a return to first-team action.

What Arteta has said: "He had a major surgery - it was going to take him many, many months. After discussing with the medical staff and understanding the schedule, we thought that he could be available between December and January. Hopefully, we did it wrong, and he comes back earlier."

Potential return date: December