Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is juggling a significant injury list as his team prepares for a crucial Premier League London derby against Chelsea this Sunday. The Gunners, sitting six points clear at the top, are assessing the fitness of several key players following a demanding midweek Champions League victory over Bayern Munich. The most pressing concerns surround striker Viktor Gyökeres and forward Leandro Trossard. Gyökeres is awaiting the results of repeat scans on a hamstring issue, while Trossard, who sustained a calf problem in the Bayern match, was set for another fitness test on Friday. Arteta remained cautiously optimistic, stating both players were ‘getting closer and closer’ to a return, but confirmed scans were not yet completely clear.
The injury updates come on the back of a significant boost, with captain Martin Odegaard poised to return against Bayern Munich after nearly two months sidelined with a knee injury. Arteta revealed the Norwegian midfielder was ‘very close’ to featuring in the recent 4-1 win over Tottenham and is hopeful he can be included in the squad for the European fixture. This return is timely for a heavyweight Champions League showdown where Arsenal and Bayern are the top two teams in their group standings, each with four wins from four matches. Arteta hailed his team as ‘immense’ following the victory over the German giants, a result that also kept former Tottenham striker Harry Kane quiet.
Further back in the recovery room, forward Gabriel Jesus is also nearing a comeback. The Brazilian, who hasn’t played since knee surgery in January, featured in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Watford. Arteta noted Jesus is ‘very close’ but emphasized the need for the player to regain match sharpness and chemistry with the team. Another player, Kai Havertz, is also undergoing assessment for a knee issue, with his scan results pending.
All these fitness concerns frame a massive Premier League encounter at Stamford Bridge. Arteta was full of praise for Chelsea, who sit second in the table, stating they ‘fully deserve to be there’ in the title race. He called them ‘one of the teams that I enjoy the most watching’ due to their fluidity and individual talent, a significant compliment from a rival manager. This sets the stage for a high-stakes clash where Arsenal’s squad depth and ability to manage injuries will be severely tested. The potential absence of Gyökeres, a key attacking threat, would be a particular blow as they look to extend their lead at the summit.
The confluence of a vital European night and a top-of-the-table domestic duel has placed Arsenal’s medical team under the spotlight. How Arteta navigates the returns of Odegaard and Jesus, while managing the fresh concerns over Gyökeres and Trossard, could define Arsenal’s momentum heading into the busy festive period. The manager’s positive but pragmatic updates suggest a battle against time, with the fitness of Viktor Gyökeres being one of the most watched storylines as kickoff against Chelsea approaches.