Arsenal's injury woes seem to be subsiding just in time for their showdown with European titans Bayern Munich. The Gunners have traditionally struggled against the German powerhouses, with their last victory stretching back to October 2015. Fast forward over a decade, and Mikel Arteta has moulded Arsenal into serious contenders for this season's Champions League title. Last season saw the north London outfit reach the semi-finals and, given their squad depth, they'll be aiming to progress even further this time around.
A top-eight finish is already within grasp, but Bayern Munich will undoubtedly present a formidable challenge, boasting a squad teeming with talent. Much of Arsenal's success depends on keeping their key players fit throughout the season and, if injuries do occur, how well the rest of the group can step up. The Gunners have been dealt a heavy blow by injuries this campaign, at times missing as many as eight first-team players including stars like Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Martin Odegaard.
However, the situation seems to be improving, with three players making a comeback in Arsenal's recent north London derby victory against Tottenham. Riccardo Calafiori, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Martinelli have all fought back from injuries to be in contention for selection.
This comes as a timely boost for manager Mikel Arteta, who is also set to receive more positive news on the injury front this week.
Captain Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus were spotted taking part in full training ahead of the showdown with Bayern Munich, putting them in contention for Wednesday night's matchday squad.
Nevertheless, it remains unclear how swiftly Arteta will wish to thrust them back into action. Odegaard has been hampered by numerous injuries this season, including two shoulder problems that have hampered the start of the season.
His latest blow was a knee complaint he picked up in early October. With the club skipper now back in training, there's a chance he could be recalled to the squad to face Bayern Munich.
Yet his own fitness levels and Eberechi Eze's impressive form might keep him out of the starting eleven for the time being.
For Jesus, the road back to full fitness has been a more prolonged affair. Earlier this year, the Brazilian forward suffered an ACL injury during an FA Cup encounter against Manchester United, which resulted in an extended period on the sidelines.
Whilst he's now returned to training, he'll still require some conditioning work to regain complete match sharpness.
"He's quite close to be fair," Arteta told the press before Bayern Munich. "And it's earlier than we expected, in the next few days he's going to have another step to make, with a game that we're going to organise for him and, so after that, he's just going to be knocking on the door, because he's Gabriel, a winner, that's how it's happened."
The boss currently has three main injury concerns, with Gabriel Magalhaes out due to a thigh issue, while Kai Havertz and summer recruit Viktor Gyokeres are still receiving treatment.
On the latter duo's progress, Arteta remarked: "Really good, both of them. In the next few days, they're going to have a repeat scan to see how everything is and where we can push them for the weekend."