Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given an encouraging injury update prior to the Gunners' mouth-watering Champions League tie against Bayern Munich.
Arsenal prepare for Bayern Munich amid injury doubts
Arteta's side welcome Bayern to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday in what promises to be a defining European encounter, with the Premier League title favourites riding high following their dominant 4-1 North London derby victory over Tottenham last weekend.
Arsenal delivered a masterclass against their bitter rivals, showcasing the attacking fluidity and defensive solidity that has characterised their strongest displays this season.
That emphatic win not only reinforced Arsenal's credentials as top title contenders domestically, but also provided the perfect psychological boost ahead of this crucial European test.
Arsenal's unbeaten run in all competitions since defeat to Liverpool
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Man City
Port Vale 0-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 2-0 Olympiacos
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Fulham 0-1 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid
Arsenal 1-0 Crystal Palace
Arsenal 2-0 Brighton
Burnley 0-2 Arsenal
Slavia Prague 0-3 Arsenal
Sunderland 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 4-1 Tottenham
Arsenal's preparation has been complicated by several injury concerns, with captain Martin Odegaard still touch and go after failing to make the matchday squad for Spurs.
Arsenal Related
[Arsenal star makes transfer admission and says club "want" to sign him](https://www.footballfancast.com/arsenal-gabriel-jesus-transfer-admission-palmeiras/ "Arsenal star makes transfer admission and says club "want" to sign him")
He's responded to the speculation around his future.
Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke returned to the side on Sunday following their respective injuries with both men ready to play a part tonight, as did Riccardo Calafiori, but Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Jesus were all nowhere to be seen.
gabriel-jesus-arsenal
Arteta may well be forced to play Mikel Merino as a makeshift number nine once again, a challenge the Spaniard has relished throughout 2025, with this game still coming too soon for Jesus.
That being said, Arteta has some good news about the Brazil international.
Gabriel Jesus in line for 'earlier than expected' Arsenal injury return
According to Arsenal's manager, speaking in his pre-Bayern press conference, the 28-year-old's recovery is actually further along than expected, and he's about to be knocking on the door.
"He’s quite close, to be fair," Arteta said.
"It’s earlier than we expected. In the next few days, he’s going to have another step to take with a game that we’re going to organise for him. And after that, he’s just going to be knocking on the door because this is Gabi."
Jesus hasn't played a single minute since rupturing his ACL during Arsenal's FA Cup defeat to Man United in January, so it is approaching a year since he was last able to take part.
The former Man City star is on record stating this is the worst injury he's ever had, and Jesus was repeatedly linked with a winter window exit following the arrival of Gyokeres in the summer.
Gabriel-Jesus-Arsenal
Jesus, though, has poured cold water over the possibility of a transfer multiple times recently, even though he confirmed his intention to one day return to Palmeiras.
“I'm very grateful to Palmeiras, it's the club I support and I've made it clear to some players there that one day I'll come back,” Jesus told Globo Esporte last week.
“But not at the moment, I'm under contract with Arsenal until 2027 and my wish is to stay here. If for any reason, both parties understand that we can't extend beyond that, at least until 2027, I'll be here.”
Arteta, meanwhile, has also said that he's looking forward to welcoming Arsenal's 'unpredictable' weapon back into the fold.
"A player who is very unpredictable, full of energy, and super competitive," Arteta told reporters earlier this month.
"A player who comes from a context of difficulty in the last few seasons, due to various nasty injuries, so the level of hunger and desire that he is going to bring to the team is going to be amazing. So I’m thrilled to have him, I think he’s going to add something extra to the team that we don’t have, and make sure that very soon we see him on that pitch making an impact for the team."