Arsenal are looking to end their three game winless run in the Premier League when they travel to Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon. Despite two defeats and a draw denting their imperious form Mikel Arteta has still been in a positive mood.
"The way the team is playing and the things you have to do to stay there," he said before the match at Villa Park. "We know where the level is we want to be in the that level and there were a lot of positives to take from that game for sure."
Outside of league form it is now four games without victory domestically, the longest run since January 2022 which included three cup matches. The need to now get back to winning has only been amplified by Manchester City and Manchester United putting together their own good results.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta gives Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Jesus update for Villa vs Arsenal
Ahead of the game there was reason to be nervous and also positive. Arteta was able to reveal that some key players are in a position to return whilst others remain sidelined. Here, football.london takes you through the latest news from the treatment room.
Thomas Partey
A muscular problem ruled Partey out of the clash against Manchester City on Wednesday night. The 29-year-old took part in training on Tuesday but was unavailable for selection due to the issue and is now set for a period of time on the sidelines.
He also didn't appear in training images posted by the club.
What Arteta has said: "We have to assess him today again. He had some discomfort, a little muscle discomfort. We have to assess him this morning and see how he is."
Expected return date: N/A
Emile Smith Rowe
A groin issue has plagued Smith Rowe's season thus far with the 22-year-old limited to just five Premier League appearances so far this term.
The talented playmaker did return with substitute appearances against Tottenham and Oxford United but was missing for the FA Cup clash against Manchester City as football.london understands he was suffering from a thigh strain and was left out as a precaution.
This issue also ruled him out for the games against Everton and Brentford. The midfielder has returned to training in recent days, however, but missed out against City once again.
He, unlike Partey, was seen back in training and is more likely to be involved.
What Arteta has said: "Emile is training today [Friday], if he’s fine he’ll be in the squad."
Expected return date: Aston Villa, February 18.
Gabriel Jesus
Having suffered medial ligament damage whilst playing for Brazil against Cameroon in the World Cup group stages, Jesus returned to London to undergo surgery on his knee, with an expectation that he will be out for at least another month of footballing action.
Speaking to former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at the Emirates Stadium last month, Jesus admitted he hopes to be back on the pitch in "four to five weeks". On Wednesday, February 1 the 25-year-old delivered a fresh update on his fitness status, posting a picture on Instagram of himself back on the training pitch.
He has since been seen running in a post on Instagram which he captioned: "After eight weeks," whilst his personal trainer Andre Cunha shared a video of him running, exciting fans.
What Arteta has said: "Doing really well he’s been doing quite a lot of work on the ball already and his rehab is going well," Arteta revealed about Jesus. "Unfortunately no [with regard to a timeframe]. Ask the doctor maybe he’ll give you one."
He then added before Villa, "Gabi is still not there."
Expected return date: March 2023.
Mohamed Elneny
Elneny started in the FA Cup win over Oxford United and played the whole 90 minutes. However, the Egyptian was absent for Arteta's squad for the 2-0 win at Tottenham, with a knee issue picked up in training ahead of the clash being assessed. Additionally, there was no place on the bench to face Manchester United.
A club statement last week then confirmed that the former Basel man will be out for an extended period of time, although no timescale was given on his expected return. "Following an injury sustained in a recent training session, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Mohamed Elneny has a significant injury to his right knee," the update read.
"Mo has had successful surgery in London and will be ruled out for an extended period of time. A more detailed timescale will be established once the early stages of rehabilitation have been completed.
"Everyone at the club will be offering Mo all the support he needs and working hard with him so he can return to action as soon as possible."
Expected return date: N/A
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