Arsenal are looking to make it 11 consecutive wins this weekend as they travel to high-flying Sunderland for the final game before the Interlull.
Mikel Arteta’s side have been in exceptional form of late, but have had to contend with multiple injuries, particularly in the forward areas. Without Kai Havertz from the opening day of the season, there have been subsequent injuries for Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, and most recently Viktor Gyokeres who has been left out of Sweden’s squad for their upcoming games.
It meant Mikel Merino playing up front to good effect in midweek, and the Spaniard is expected to continue in that role after his brace against Slavia Prague.
Speaking at his press conference this morning, there was good news as there have been no further issues after the Champions League win.
“We remain the same and nobody new that can join the squad, so all the same”, he said, hinting that there could well be some of those players available again after the break.
There was positive news this week with regards Gabriel Jesus, who returned to full training after suffering an ACL injury back in January. The Brazilian’s recovery has been a bit slower than average, perhaps complicated by other knee issues he suffered previously, but after working on his own to regain fitness he is back with the main group again.
After just a couple of days, it’s clearly too soon for him to be involved, and asked on a possible return date, Arteta said, “I don’t know. Now is about making the steps day by day, in different surroundings.
“Obviously he’s been doing everything on his own. Now he has good players around him, competitive players around him, and I love his energy.
“Let’s see how he copes with that.”