Tierney, Ozil , Mustafi and Martinelli return date - Latest Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Man City

The international break is in full swing, with many of Arsenal's players away with their national sides.

When they return, the Gunners face a daunting trip to face Manchester City.

Arsenal have enjoyed an impressive start to the season with three wins from their opening four fixtures.

The most recent victory was a hard-fought 2-1 success over Sheffield United thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe.

Arteta will be wanting his side to show the same resilience, determination and desire to make it back-to-back Premier League wins.

With that in mind, here is the latest injury news for the Gunners going into the game with City.

Kieran Tierney

Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has been advised to self-isolate for 14 days after coming into close contact with a COVID-positive team-mate on international duty.

Scotland international Stuart Armstrong has been diagnosed with coronavirus, the Scottish FA confirmed, and Tierney's close proximity to the midfielder means he began a two week period of self-isolation from yesterday.

Tierney's isolation appears set to rule him out of Arsenal's Premier League game against Manchester City on September 18.

But the Gunners released a statement on Wednesday, to clarify their position.

Arsenal said: “Our medical team have confirmed that Kieran was socially distant at all times from the player who tested positive and has broken no rules regarding Covid-19 protocols.

"We are currently seeking further advice and clarification of the details.”

Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil has been left out of all of Arsenal's matchday squads so far.

It's understood the move is down to tactics, rather than the German international having any sort of injury though.

He is, therefore, in contention for the City game if called upon.

Pablo Mari

The Spanish defender remains sidelined with an injury to his left ankle.

He picked up the problem - which saw damage to his ankle ligaments - in the game with City back on June 17.

He is continuing outside running and undergoing a strengthening programme as he makes a return to full fitness.

Mari has also been doing some light ball work as part of his recovery.

The plan is for him to return to full training within the next week or so.

The City game might be too soon for him, however, and a more likely return could be in the Europa League game away to Rapid Vienna on Thursday, October 22.

Sokratis

The defender is yet to play for Arsenal this season.

The Greek has been tipped to leave the club this summer, with French giants Paris Saint-German linked with a move.

However, he remains with the club and is fit so is in contention to be in the squad to take on City.

Calum Chambers

The defender has been out with a serious knee injury since the end of last December in the home defeat by Chelsea.

He had been expected to return to action towards the end of the calendar year but that could now be sooner.

Arsenal say Chambers is progressing well in his recovery and is now taking part in first-team training sessions.

The former Southampton player is aiming to be back in full training after the international break so is likely to be ready to play at the end of the month, if not sooner.

Shkodran Mustafi

The German was enjoying something of a renaissance under Arteta and had been particularly impressive in the FA Cup semi-final win over Manchester City last season, only to suffer a hamstring injury in its closing minutes.

Mustafi underwent a minor medical procedure in the immediate aftermath of the injury, which Arteta confirmed was a pull to the "tendon of the bone of his hamstring".

The defender is said to be progressing well and he is now featuring in first-team training.

Like Chambers, he is set to return to full training after the international break.

Gabriel Martinelli

Losing the young Brazilian a week into the Premier League's restart was a bitter blow for Arteta and Arsenal, who had seen Martinelli emerge as a star of the future in a rookie season where he scored 10 and provided four assists in 26 games.

Martinelli underwent surgery on his knee in June and was able to travel back to Brazil with a tailored rehabilitation programme.

He is continuing to work on his recovering and is undergoing a daily strengthening and recovery programme at London Colney.

The Gunners hope that Martinelli will be back in first team training before 2020 is over but there is a possibility that he will have to wait until 2021 to make his return.