A fresh fitness worry as hit Arsenal as the festive fixture schedule ramps up.
Gabriel Martinelli is set to miss the Champions League trip to PSV due to illness, while Bukayo Saka missed training on Monday due to a knock.
Saka's blow is not expected to keep him out on Tuesday night however Mikel Arteta may rest his start players regardless, given the game is a dead-rubber, with Emile Smith Rowe hoping to be in contention for a return.
The Gunners dropped off the top of the Premier League table after their defeat to Aston Villa, and face a tricky run of fixtures as they host Brighton next weekend before travelling to face Liverpool at Anfield.
Mikel Arteta's hopes of managing his squad through a busy fixture list have been hit by injury problems, with full-back options Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber unavailable, while Fabio Vieira remains out and Thomas Partey is not yet back in contention.
Here's all you need to know on Arsenal's injury list...
Gabriel Martinelli
Ahead of Arsenal's trip to PSV, a bout of illness is expected to keep Martinelli on the sidelines.
However, the issue is not thought to be severe after Standard Sport reported on his absence from Monday's training.
Potential return date: December 17, vs Brighton
Emile Smith Rowe
A frustrating campaign for Smith Rowe has seen him manage just a single Premier League start, 524 days since his last, at the end of October against Sheffield United.
That came after just 161 minutes of league football last season, but this latest wait is nearing its end.
Standard Sport understand Smith Rowe is hoping to play a part in Eindhoven after returning to training this week following a knee injury.
Potential return date: December 12, vs PSV
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey has been out of action since October after picking up a thigh injury in training.
His availability would be a big boost for the Gunners, particularly with the Gunners short of right-back options and Partey able to fill in there if required, but the 30-year-old appears unlikely to return before Christmas.
Arteta was asked last week whether Partey could return to feature at Anfield against Liverpool on December 23, but the Arsenal boss was reluctant to provide a date for his comeback.
“He is getting a very good evolution in the injury, but it’s a bit early to get a timeframe,” Arteta said.
“That will be incredibly fast if he is able to do that (be back for Liverpool), so we are going to have to wait."
Potential return date: Early January 2024
Takehiro Tomiyasu
The Gunners could potentially be without Takehiro Tomiyasu until February.
The versatile defender picked up a calf injury against Wolves earlier this month, with it expected that the issue will keep him out of action for four to six weeks.
However, even if Tomiyasu does return on schedule early in January, he will then be involved in the Asia Cup, which runs through to the final on February 10 should the defender make it that far with Japan.
Potential return date: Mid/late January 2024
Fabio Vieira
Fabio Vieira is set to be out for the rest of the year after undergoing groin surgery.
The midfielder went to see a specialist after experiencing discomfort and it was decided that an operation was required, with Viera going under the knife at the end of November.
“We don’t expect him back this side of the winter break," Arteta said.
Potential return date: Late January 2024
Jurrien Timber
Summer signing Jurrien Timber remains a long-term absentee for the Gunners after injuring the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on his Premier League debut in August.
That means he has played just 50 minutes in his first season in England, and Timber remains unsure himself over a timeline for his return having not yet trained outside.
Reports in the Netherlands last month claimed that the defender is facing a battle to play again this season, and is a doubt for Euro 2024 next summer as a result, but there has been official confirmation of that.
"He’s been for a few walks but that’s very far from competing," Arteta recently admitted.
