Arsenal stars Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko are both injury doubts for Sunday’s Premier League game against Leeds United.
The Gunners are flying at the top of the league, having won eight of their nine matches so far. Mikel Arteta will be hoping to continue their momentum at Elland Road following a 1-0 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday night.
But Arteta’s squad depth looks like it will be tested this weekend, with two of their summer signings not fully fit. Zinchenko and Jesus were missing from the Arsenal squad which travelled to Norway for the midweek fixture and Arteta admitted they might not be ready in time for the Leeds match.
Asked about Jesus prior, Arteta said: “I don’t know. Obviously he had some discomfort after the game against Liverpool. That’s why we decided not to bring him [to face Bodo/Glimt]. Let’s see how he is [closer to the game]."
Jesus was one of Arsenal’s stars in their 3-2 win over Liverpool last weekend, but the former Manchester City striker was in the wars throughout the game. The Brazilian was left at home to rest in midweek but, having contributed five goals and three assists in nine Premier League appearances, Arsenal will be desperate for him to play.
Arteta’s words before the Bodo/Glimt match suggest the Gunners were simply being cautious with their £45million man. “With everything he has been through in the last few weeks we thought it was better that he was staying there,” he said.
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Zinchenko appears less likely to be involved. The Ukraine international has struggled with injuries since arriving in a £32m move from Manchester City in the summer and has not featured since the 3-1 win over Tottenham on October 1.
Takehiro Tomiyasu filled in at left-back against Liverpool, while Kieran Tierney got a much-needed 90 minutes against Bodo on Thursday. It seems Zinchenko is not ready to feature against Leeds. “With Alex, I don’t know, he has not been on the pitch yet,” Arteta said. “So we have to be a little bit calm.”
With Manchester City not playing until 4.30pm on Sunday, a win would send Arsenal four points clear at the top of the Premier League. Asked about that possibility, Arteta played down its significance.
“Now, honestly the trick is how we’re going to prepare for Leeds,” he said. “Mentally, physically, it’s going to be a battle. We know the way they play, how intense it’s going to be, the crowd they have. It’s going to be a challenge and we have to be at our best again to win there.”
Arsenal are getting used to the difficulties of playing twice a week, in the Premier League and Europa League, and Arteta believes it is good practice for the packed post-World Cup schedule. “I think after the World Cup it’s going to be even worse,” he said. “So I think it’s good preparation for what’s coming.”
