Arsenal and Bayern Munich are both set to be without a number of key players for their Champions League clash at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Mikel Arteta smiling on the training ground.
Mikel Arteta has a number of Arsenal injury concerns to contend with.
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Arsenal and Bayern Munich are both set to be without key players for their Champions League showdown at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening. Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli have recently returned to the fold for Mikel Arteta, but seven stars have been ruled out with a nervous wait being faced on two players.
Both sides come into the meeting off the back of resounding victories this past weekend. The Gunners thrashed north London rivals Tottenham 4-1, with Eberechi Eze netting a hat-trick while Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich side hammered Freiburg 6-2 with Michael Olise, Harry Kane and Nicolas Jackson all finding the back of the net.
Despite his recent form, Luis Diaz failed to contribute directly to a goal and he will be unable to change that for Wednesday's fixture due to suspension. The Colombian international was shown a red card in their last European match against PSG and is now serving the first game of a three-match ban.
Martin Zubimendi has already served a ban in the Champions League, while now it's only Arsenal players nursing injuries who are expected to be sidelined. Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz were not included in the squad to face Tottenham and will remain out for the visit of Bayern.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Arteta said: "Really good both of them, in the next few days they will have scans to see if we can push them for the weekend."
Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli were back among the substitutes last Sunday - with Madueke featuring for the final 12 minutes. Club captain Martin Odegaard narrowly missed out on selection, but Arteta has confirmed all three are expected to be available against Bayern.
He said: "Yeah, they are and we're going to have a meeting now to decide on Martin. We are confident he'll be in the squad." Gabriel Jesus is progressing well in his recovery from an ACL rupture, as well, with Arteta confirming a behind-closed-doors match is being arranged for him.
Gabriel Jesus smiling on the training ground.
Gabriel Jesus is one step closer to his return.(Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
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Gabriel Magalhaes, meanwhile, is in the initial stages of rehabilitation for a groin problem that is anticipated to side-line him until at least mid-December.
Regarding Bayern, Jamal Musiala has rejoined team training following a broken leg sustained at the Club World Cup, though he's still working on his match fitness. Serge Gnabry has endured a troublesome season and sat out the weekend's victory due to a minor knee complaint.
On his fitness, the Bayern boss said: "With Serge things are looking good. But whether he can start or play a full game, that's a question for tomorrow. We were worried a bit, but he gave us good signals."
Lennart Karl was substituted during that win - with an injury likely to rule him out of the Arsenal fixture - as the youngster went straight down the tunnel after being withdrawn. Alphonso Davies has been side-lined since mid-March with a significant knee injury and his comeback isn't anticipated until next month.