Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was without a number of injured players before club action was halted for a fortnight due to the ongoing international break. That has given some time for the likes of club captain Martin Odegaard to recover ahead of next weekend's Premier League fixture against Brentford.
Gabriel Jesus had also been sidelined with an injury, but football.london understands that the Brazilian international is expected to be back to fitness in time for the Brentford clash after the two-week break. The striker has been called up to the Brazil international squad, despite concerns regarding his fitness.
Elsewhere, Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Jurrien Timber are all long-term absentees for the north Londoners. So, here's a look at the latest fitness updates from the Emirates Stadium ahead of next week's return to club action.
Martin Odegaard
Odegaard has been nursing an injury recently and Arteta will hope that the Norwegian can return to action after the international break. Despite his ongoing hip problem, Odegaard's omission for the defeat against Newcastle at St James’ Park and the home Champions League win against Sevilla was as a result of an unrelated issue.
The Gunners captain took a ball to the face during a training session at London Colney in the lead up to the loss on Tyneside. Odegaard failed a fitness test ahead of the loss against Eddie Howe's side after being checked over for concussion. Concussion rules state players must rest for six days and be symptom free before returning to action.
football.london understands that Odegaard was put through his paces at London Colney on Tuesday and continues to be assessed, but is expected to return against Brentford.
Injury: Concussion/Hip
What Arteta has said: "I don't know. I am going to have a meeting now with the medical department and Edu to understand everyone's situation but I think he is going to be back after the international break. I don't know exactly what is the decision and the communication at the moment."
What Solbakken (Norway boss) has said: "I've just come from a 45-minute talk with Martin. He is getting better and better and gradually stepping up.
"It has been more or less three weeks without any special training, so it is important to take things step by step. Both he and Arsenal probably hope that he is available for the Brentford match."
Expected return date: Brentford (A) - November 25
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Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus was excellent against Sevilla in the Champions League, netting a goal and providing an assist but there was an injury worry when he pulled up clutching his hamstring late on in the game. With ten minutes to spare he was replaced by Eddie Nketiah, leaving him out of action ever since.
The striker has been called up to the Brazil international squad, despite concerns over his fitness. football.london understands that Jesus is expected to be back to fitness in time for the Brentford clash after the two-week break. Brazil are also hopeful of having Jesus involved in their World Cup qualifier against Argentina on Wednesday, November 22.
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Brentford (A) - November 25
What Arteta has said: "Gabby won’t be fit, with Martin it is still uncertain, the rest no news so far."
What Brazil boss Diniz said: "I talked to Gabriel and he didn't come here without planning. He said he's feeling good, he's already doing certain things and when I spoke to him we had two more weeks, 10 days at least till the first game [against Colombia] and 15 days 'til the second one [against Argentina]. He is in good condition, we are doing things with great care. As soon as he arrived we made a new MRI we [are] treating him very carefully."
Jorginho
Jorginho was on the receiving end of some daring challenges against Burnley. As a precaution, he was taken off to get his cuts and bruises patched up. However, he has been in action for Italy in their clash against North Macedonia.
Injury: Leg
Expected return date: Brentford (A) - November 25
What Arteta has said: "He had a few bad cuts I think so they could not sort it out on the pitch so they decided to take him out. Hopefully he is fine. I think he was really good again today, the way this guy is competing, coaching and supporting the team in every way, I am really happy with him."
Ben White
White has been carrying a knock recently and was omitted from the matchday squad to face Burnley.
Injury: Unknown
Expected return date: Brentford (A) - November 25
What Arteta has said: "Yesterday in training he wasn’t comfortable. He didn’t look right. But Ben won’t give you much. He always wants to be on the pitch and he wants to hide anything that is in there.
"But we highlighted something happening there that we noticed in the last two weeks as well. We wanted to protect him today. It was the right call from the physios and the medical department and tomorrow we will assess him and understand what’s happening."
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Tomiyasu had an issue with his contact lenses during Arsenal's win over Burnley. He seems fine, though.
Injury: Eye
Expected return date: Brentford (A) - November 25
What Arteta has said: "Only his eye, his lens, he had a problem with his lens but the rest he was top, a very good performance."
Thomas Partey
Partey has undergone a 'procedure' which is set to keep him out for the remainder of the year, football.london understands.
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: N/A
What Arteta has said: "He’s got a muscle injury and we expect him to be out for a few weeks. We don’t know the extent of it still, he has more tests today. He got that injury in training, with the last kick of the ball. Very unfortunate. He’s got another appointment today (Tuesday) and we will see more after that."
Emile Smith Rowe
Smith Rowe has been unlucky with injuries again this season, this time nursing a knee issue. He was also omitted from the matchday squad to face the Clarets last weekend.
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: N/A
What Arteta has said: "We have an issue with him. He felt something in his knee and started to feel some pain after the game - we are assessing him, but [it’s] a big worry with him. He's going to be out for weeks."
Jurrien Timber
Timber has undergone successful surgery, football.london understands, and he's now in the 'recovery phase' of his rehabilitation. The Dutchman has been sorely missed, especially with the club failing to find a suitable replacement in the summer transfer window.
Injury: ACL
Expected return date : Early 2024
What Arteta has said: "Huge blow. Especially for him after just joining the club. To have the injury he has is a huge blow. It is for the team because we recruited him with clear intentions and what he was bringing to the team was evident and he’s not going to be able to do it this season for us. We have to adapt. These things happen unfortunately and we have to move on."
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