Arsenal are sweating over the fitness over Viktor Gyokeres for Sunday’s London derby against Chelsea
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Mikel Arteta will make a late call to decide if Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres can be part of the Arsenal squad for Sunday’s trip to Chelsea.
Havertz has been out of action since the first game of the season, when he injured his knee.
Gyokeres has missed the last four games for Arsenal after straining his hamstring in a win at Burnley earlier this month.
The pair underwent scans earlier this week and Arteta has hinted they are now close to a return.
“We have another day tomorrow, so let’s see how everybody has come on,” he said on Friday.
“They are getting closer and closer. So, we are very positive with both of them - and let’s see.”
Leandro Trossard is a doubt for the game with Chelsea after coming off in the first half of Arsenal’s win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
The Belgian is struggling with a calf issue and he will also undergo a late fitness test before Sunday.
“With Leo, there’s another test today,” said Arteta. “We have to see how he is feeling. It doesn’t look much. So we still have a few hours and we have to wait and see.”
Leandro Trossard limped off against Bayern Munich
Gabriel Jesus played in a friendly at Arsenal’s training ground on Thursday as he continues his recovery from a knee injury sustained in January.
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“We have to see,” said Arteta, when asked if Jesus could now return to the first-team squad.
“Obviously, he has been out 11 months and you need that progression. You need to see how his body, that knee reacts and what else does he need.
“The players that we have available as well, it has to make sense to have the right balance in the squad. The good thing is that he is very, very close at the moment.”
Arsenal will definitely be without Gabriel on Sunday, and so Arteta must decide who will play alongside William Saliba in the heart of defence.
Cristhian Mosquera started against Bayern, but Piero Hincapie got the nod for last weekend’s win over Tottenham.
Riccardo Calafiori is expected to return to the defence for Sunday’s game with Chelsea after being on the bench in midweek.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Merino, Madueke
Doubts: Gyokeres (hamstring), Havertz (knee), Jesus (knee) and Trossard (calf)
Injured: Gabriel (thigh)
Time and date: 4.30pm GMT on Sunday, November 30, 2025
Venue: Stamford Bridge
How to watch: Sky Sports