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The latest injury updates on Mikel Arteta’s players ahead of their next Champions League match.
Arsenal will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing 1-1 draw against Fulham when they face their next Champions League opponents on Wednesday. The Gunners were denied a huge three points in the Premier League title race on Sunday when Bukayo Saka’s late goal was chalked off by VAR.
Branded the ‘biggest VAR decision of the season so far’ by Jamie Redknapp, Gabriel Martinelli was ruled in an offside position during his cross in for Saka’s header. The disallowed goal stopped Arsenal from squeezing the gap between them and Liverpool to just four points after the Merseyside Derby was postponed.
Before Arsenal retake to the Premier League with their upcoming clash against Everton, they must face Monaco in Europe. The Gunners are currently seventh in the Champions League table, with three wins, a draw and a loss on the board, taking their tally up to 10 points so far.
Their looming opponents are also on 10 points, as are five other clubs. A total of seven teams are tied on 10 points as things stand, stretching from Bayer Leverkusen in sixth down to Lille in 12th. This week could blow the battle for a top eight finish wide open, with just two games to play after this week.
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Only a top eight finish will guarantee Arsenal a spot in the round of 16, and they will play Dinamo Zagreb and Girona before the final standings are confirmed. Ahead of their clash with Fulham, Arteta was asked about some of his players’ fitness levels, so let’s take a look at their current injury list and potential return dates.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel has been absent for the last two games with a knee problem but Arteta admitted ahead of Fulham that he wanted to see how the defender looked in training to make a decision. Gabriel did not feature at Craven Cottage but Arteta said after the match that he hoped he would be fit enough to face Monaco.
Potential return date: December 11th (vs Monaco)
Riccardo Calafiori
Similar to Gabriel, Arteta has revealed he hopes he will get the green light to feature the defender against Monaco. After already suffering a calf and knee injury so far this season, Arteta’s new signing has missed the last two games with an unknown issue.
“I hope [Gabriel, Calafiori and Zinchenko are fit enough to play against Monaco], but it's more a question for the doctors and physios to understand where we are," the manager said post-Fulham.
Potential return date: December 11th (vs Monaco)
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Mentioned alongside Gabriel and Calafiori, there is also hope that Oleksandr Zinchenko will return on Wednesday after missing the Fulham clash. The Ukrainian was previously sidelined with a calf problem earlier this season.
Potential return date: December 11th (vs Monaco)
Ben White
Arteta has confirmed that Ben White is expected to be out for ‘months’ due to ‘different kinds of struggles’ that have not been improving recently. Last month, White underwent a minor procedure to resolve a joint issue but he is not expected back in the team any time soon.
“That’s going to keep him out for a few months. We have to see how he reacts post-surgery,” the boss confirmed. “We don’t expect him to be half a year but I cannot tell you exactly.”
Potential return date: Before June 2025
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Takehiro Tomiyasu remains absent with a knee problem that has reduced him to just one cameo appearance in all competitions this season. Arteta last provided an update on the Japanese international last month, admitting he will be out ‘for a period’ of time. However, no potential return date has been hinted at.
Potential return date: Unknown
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