Arsenal made a quick return to Europa League action on Thursday with the visit of PSV Eindhoven in a rearranged fixture, but attention now quickly turns back to staying at the top of the Premier League.
The Gunners have suffered a couple of long-term injuries already this season, while some players are struggling to consistently stay fit, but Mikel Arteta is growing closer to working with a full squad and will be hoping for no further players to join the treatment room ahead of Sunday’s trip to Southampton.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at the Emirates Stadium and the expected return dates for those on the sidelines.
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka could now be a minor doubt for Sunday's visit to Southampton after being forced off through injury towards the end of Thursday's 1-0 victory over PSV.
The England international picked up a knock in that fixture after receiving a kick from an opposition player and will now be forced to face a late fitness test to determine his involvement for this weekend, leaving Arteta and co. sweating over the condition of the 21-year-old.
Speaking on Thursday, Arteta said: "Yeah, he got a kick; he was limping a bit, but hopefully, he will be fine."
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Oleksandr Zinchenko
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s injury woes since his summer switch from Manchester City continue as he remains sidelined with his latest issue since joining the Gunners.
The versatile left back missed two of August’s fixtures with a knee injury and has since started just one of Arsenal ’s last seven games in all competitions due to a recurring calf injury. He was also absent from training in midweek, although Arteta has at least confirmed he will definitely play again before the World Cup.
Speaking on Thursday, Arteta said: “I think he's close. He's getting better and better, and he's progressing really well. He had a setback on an injury that he got at the start of the season, which is a shame, but knowing Alex, he will be back very soon."
Emile Smith Rowe
Midfielder Emile Smith Rowe continues to be ruled out of action until the New Year following his recent surgery on a groin injury that he picked up following the 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on September 4.
While there has been no exact return date pencilled in for the youngster, there is a strong possibility he could return to first team training in December, although it is still expected that he will not feature for the Gunners again until 2023.
Speaking on September 30, Arteta said: Sept 30: “It is very difficult to give a timeline. It depends on the first process, how the bones heal, how was his first reaction, his improvement and how he's adapting. We need to go step by step.”
Mohamed Elneny
Like Smith Rowe, Mohamed Elneny is also sidelined until next year after suffering a “significant” long-term hamstring strain following his only start of the season against Fulham back in August, having come in to replace the injured Thomas Partey.
An exact return date is not yet known for the Egyptian, while it remains to be seen when he may even be able to return to training. However, it is not expected that he will return before Smith Rowe, meaning any date could be based off the youngster’s recovery period.
Speaking on September 2, Arteta said: “With Mo, it’s probably a little bit easier, and we are talking months.”
