Mikel Arteta has given updates on Kieran Tierney, Fabio Vieira, and Declan Rice’s injury statuses this week, with the Premier League kicking off at the weekend.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - JULY 24: Fabio Vieira #21 of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring a goal against AFC Bournemouth during the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – JULY 24: Fabio Vieira #21 of Arsenal FC celebrates after scoring a goal against AFC Bournemouth during the first half at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024 in Carson, California. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

Though the Premier League only kicked off on Friday, with Arsenal playing their opening fixture the next day, the Gunners already have a few injury problems to worry about.

Takehiro Tomiyasu had already been ruled out for “a few weeks” before this weekend, but there were no updates on Kieran Tierney or Fabio Vieira until the last few days, and Declan Rice was withdrawn late on against Wolves.

COLOGNE, GERMANY: Kieran Tierney of Scotland lies injured on a stretcher during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Scotland and Switzerland at Cologne Stadium on June 19, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
COLOGNE, GERMANY: Kieran Tierney of Scotland lies injured on a stretcher during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Scotland and Switzerland at Cologne Stadium on June 19, 2024. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Tierney has been out since Euro 2024 with a hamstring injury, and Mikel Arteta confirmed ahead of the Wolves game that he’s set to be out for “a few weeks”.

On the possibility of a transfer, Arteta suggested Tierney can’t think about that until he’s fit, saying: “He needs to focus on recovering in the best possible way, it’s been a tough time for him again with the last injury.

“We have to try to support him and make sure he gets back fit.”

The news was more positive for Vieira with his hip issue. Arteta said he “looked better” on Friday, and that he was close to making the squad against Wolves. It seems he won’t be out for long.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal reacts with an injury as teammate Kai Havertz reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Declan Rice of Arsenal reacts with an injury as teammate Kai Havertz reacts during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Emirates Stadium on August 17, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

As for Rice, Arteta suggested the midfielder was just withdrawn with cramp after a short pre-season schedule.

“He was cramping a bit,” Arteta confirmed. “He hasn’t had the longest pre-season ever, but he’s really trying and he put in an unbelievable performance again today.”

With any luck, Rice and Vieira will be available for Arsenal’s next game, and Tomiyasu and Tierney will return a few weeks later.