Mikel Arteta has provided an interesting update on his squad's fitness ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham. Arsenal are facing a difficult run of fixtures to finish January, with games against Manchester United and Manchester City set to follow Spurs.
As the matches continue to come thick and fast, the Gunners will need to avoid injuries to their key players as they look to maintain their Premier League title charge and progress further in the FA Cup. Gabriel Jesus is set to be sidelined until February or March after the Brazilian suffered a knee injury during the World Cup in Qatar.
Emile Smith Rowe returned to action in the FA Cup third round win against Oxford United after the Hale End graduate recovered from a groin injury suffered back in September. Bukayo Saka has been crucial to Arsenal's impressive performances this term but fans feared the worst as they saw the 21-year-old limp off against Oxford.
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Arteta highlighted the lack of squad depth in attack available to him as he started Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah for the fourth game in a row since the Premier League resumed on Boxing Day. Speaking after the victory against Oxford on Monday night, the Gunners boss said: "The problem is that we have only one striker and to cope for that many months until Gabby [Gabriel Jesus] is back is not easy.
"But we have to get the most out of the players that we have at the moment. If we can have some reinforcements, great."
The Spaniard also confirmed that despite Saka being taken off with a suspected injury, the 21-year-old is "fine" ahead of the north London derby. When Arteta was asked whether his players were okay ahead of the highly-anticipated north London derby this weekend, the Arsenal boss offered a short and simple answer.
"Yeah," the Spaniard responded. Arteta will hope that his squad can avoid any further injuries, particularly in attack, as Arsenal continue talks with Shakhtar Donetsk for the signing of Mykhaylo Mudryk. New reports have suggested that the Gunners have made a breakthrough in negotiations and are close to a 'full agreement'.
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