Fulham star hands Marco Silva new injury worry as seven players guaranteed to miss Arsenal clash

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Arsenal and Fulham are both grappling with fitness worries ahead of their Premier League encounter at Craven Cottage this weekend. Up to nine players could miss out after a new injury worry emerged over the international break.

Before the two-week hiatus from Premier League action, the Gunners and Fulham both suffered blows during the opening periods of their respective matches against West Ham United and Bournemouth .

Sasa Lukic was forced off after pulling up with a groin problem while clearing a corner during Fulham's Friday evening defeat, while Martin Odegaard sustained a knee problem 18 hours later during the Gunners' victory over West Ham. Both midfield stars are anticipated to be sidelined for at least the coming weeks.

Mikel Arteta would have been glad to see no obvious injury concerns come to light from international fixtures, but the same cannot seemingly be said for Marco Silva.

According to All Nigeria Soccer , there are fears that Samuel Chukwueze may have sustained an injury during Nigeria's 4-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Benin. He was replaced at half-time of that clash with their report noting that worries have been sparked about his fitness.

There are also lingering doubts over Raul Jimenez after a hip injury forced him off against Aston Villa last month. The Cottagers have confirmed injuries based on Silva's most recent updates on Kenny Tete and Rodrigo Muniz.

He stated: "Right now, I can assure you that Rodrigo (Muniz) is going to be out, and Kenny is going to be out, too... More than just this game, we believe even after the International break, it's going to be an issue for them to be ready for the next ones."

Arsenal attacking duo Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke meanwhile, are eyeing November comebacks from knee problems, with the latter potentially hoping to feature in the North London Derby.

Piero Hincapie has managed just five minutes since his arrival at the club, with a groin issue ruling him out for the previous five matches, though Arteta has suggested he might return this weekend.

Earlier this month, the Arsenal manager confessed: "We've been trying everything as fast as possible, but this game [vs West Ham] came too fast, and now we have an international break. Hopefully, after that."

Gabriel Jesus remains Arsenal's only long-term injury concern as he continues his recovery from an ACL surgery he underwent in January. A year on, there are suggestions that Jesus could potentially leave the Emirates Stadium, assuming he has fully recovered.

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