Arsenal could be boosted by two key injury returns as they prepare to return to Premier League action with a London derby against Brentford.
The November international break arrived at a good time for the Gunners, who got back on track after their controversial first top-flight loss of the season at Newcastle with back-to-back wins over Sevilla and Burnley, but have been besieged by repeated fitness problems of late.
However, there are signs that those issues are now finally starting to ease as Arsenal approach a critical point in the season and a busy fixture run ahead of the typically hectic festive schedule.
Here is all the latest Arsenal injury news....
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus has not played for his club since October 24 after injuring his hamstring in the Champions League win at Sevilla, but did play 90 minutes for Brazil this week.
Having been called up to the Brazil squad, he was left out of the trip to Colombia last week but soon returned to full training and then started the home World Cup qualifier against arch-rivals Argentina on Tuesday night.
He appears to have came through the game unscathed, then Jesus should be in a position to make his Arsenal return in the Saturday teatime trip to face Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Potential return date: Saturday, November 25 vs Brentford
Martin Odegaard
Like Jesus, Martin Odegaard could also return to the Arsenal line-up against Brentford on Saturday.
The influential Gunners skipper returned from a hip injury against West Ham in the Carabao Cup at the start of the month, but then missed the next three games with an unspecified problem.
It was later revealed that Odegaard had been in the concussion protocol after being hit in the face by a ball during training.
He withdrew from the Norway squad for their final Euro 2024 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Scotland, though international boss Stale Solbakken believes he is now very close to being available again.
"I've just come from a 45-minute talk with Martin," Stale Solbakken said on Sunday. "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."
After a period of rest and recovery, Standard Sport understand he is set to feature this weekend and the midfield was spotted in training this week.
Potential return date: Saturday, November 25 vs Brentford
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey has played just once for Arsenal since August amid an ongoing injury battle and recently underwent surgery on a "significant" thigh problem.
"I said that hopefully it's going to be weeks and not months and he's working towards that," Arteta said before the win over Burnley.
"He needs support. Hopefully the injury will heal in the right way and we'll have him back because he is a big player for us."
Potential return date: January 2024
Ben White
The England defender was a surprise omission from the Arsenal squad to face Burnley, with Arteta revealing that he had an unspecified injury suffered against Sevilla that would need to be assessed.
No further update has yet been forthcoming on Ben White.
“Yesterday in training he wasn’t comfortable. He didn’t look right” Arteta said last Saturday.
“Ben won’t give you much. He always wants to be on the pitch and he wants to hide anything that is in there.
“We highlighted something happening there which 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."
Potential return date: Saturday, November 25 vs Brentford
Jorginho
Jorginho has stepped in for Arsenal in midfield amid the injuries to Odegaard and Partey and performed well.
There was minor concern over his status after he suffered a nasty cut to his head during the closing stages against Burnley, but he subsequently joined up with Italy and started the crucial 5-2 win over North Macedonia in Rome on Friday.
Potential return date: Saturday, November 25 vs Brentford
Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe impressed last month in the 5-0 rout of Sheffield United but was then an unexpected absentee from the squad to face West Ham in the Carabao Cup.
Arteta said afterwards: "He’s got an injury in his knee and he’s going to be out for weeks."
Potential return date: December 2023
Jurrien Timber
Versatile summer signing Jurrien Timber suffered a serious ACL injury on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest back in August and his return is still a number of months away.
