This weekend’s North London Derby pits Arsenal against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur.
Arsenal injury news and return dates as Gunners prepare for North London Derby. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) (Image: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Arsenal are back in Premier League action this weekend after their recent foray into the FA Cup, where they booked passage into the fourth round with a 3-0 win over League One outfit Oxford United. Mikel Arteta named a relatively strong side for the clash, who were in a tough clash for the majority of proceedings.
Six days laid between their FA Cup clash and their return to the Premier League, where they have the difficult task of travelling to Tottenham for the North London Derby. The reverse fixture ended in a 3-1 victory for the red half of London, but it may be a different type of challenge away from home.
With such a huge fixture at the top of the table just around the corner, Arteta will be hopeful of having a full squad to choose from. With that said, here’s a look at the latest Arsenal injury news.
Gabriel Jesus
Jesus suffered medial ligament damage whilst playing for Brazil against Cameroon in the World Cup group stages. The 25-year-old later returned to London to undergo surgery on his knee.
The former Man City man has been keen to update Arsenal fans on his injury rehabilitation and posted last week that he no longer needed crutches. The striker has posted another encouraging update on his recovery that offers a more insightful view.
Evolving everyday. 💪🏽🙌🏽#alômãe#gratidão#doperi#progress pic.twitter.com/Mr04yyCZCs
— Gabriel Jesus (@gabrieljesus9) January 4, 2023
Expected return date: February / March 2023.
Emile Smith Rowe
Smith Rowe has been out for a considerable length of time. However, Arteta included the Englishman on the bench for the match against Oxford and he came on in the 75th minute.
What Arteta has said: “We need him fit and at his best. When we have that we have an incredible player that we have missed a lot.
“If he trains tomorrow, hopefully, he will be able to give us something on Monday.”
Expected return date: Returned.
Reiss Nelson
The extent of Nelson’s hamstring injury is currently unknown, but Arteta admitted after the friendly with Juventus that it could be problematic.
What Arteta has said: “We don’t know the extent of the injury. The fact that he had to leave the pitch straight away is not good news, especially with someone like Reiss who is really powerful and fast. Let’s see what will happen. We know what we have to do and that doesn’t change the plans [for the transfer window].”
Expected return date: Unknown.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka was substituted with 15 minutes to go in the second half against Oxford on Monday evening after Saka went down with an injury in the 75th minute.
However, signs were positive concerning his injury as he was able to walk around the pitch and back to the bench as Smith Rowe was introduced, highlighting that Arteta may be taking precautions with the youngster.
Expected return date: Unknown.
source: https://www.football.london/
