Mikel Arteta has welcomed back some Arsenal stars in recent weeks but still has an injury list including a number of senior figures ahead of another London derby
Gabriel injured during Brazil vs Senegal
Arsenal star Gabriel was injured on international duty
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has indicated Kai Havertz is still some way off a Gunners return, though there was more encouraging news over some other squad members. Arsenal host Brentford in midweek as they look to get their title bid back on track after drawing with 10-man Chelsea on Sunday,
Havertz has played just 30 minutes of club football this season, appearing from the bench against Manchester United on the opening weekend of the league campaign. He has been sidelined with a knee injury ever since, and appeared close to a return before suffering a setback in November.
Arteta said it will be a "matter of weeks" when providing an update on Havertz. The same goes for centre-back Gabriel, who suffered an injury on international duty with Brazil.
Leandro Trossard's return is likely to come sooner, though, while there was also some optimism over William Saliba. The Frenchman missed Sunday's trip to Stamford Bridge but is seemingly likely to return before his central defensive partner.
"I am not going to be able to help you much today as we have another training session," Arteta told reporters when asked about Saliba. "He had a little niggle but I think it's going to be a matter of days."
Speaking in greater depth about Havertz, Arteta said: "Yeah so he was doing everything, he could not go to the next level. We are all desperate to have him.
"He's a player I love so much for what he brings to the team. I see him suffer. I think it's going to be a massive boost for the team (when he's back)."
Kai Havertz during Manchester United vs Arsenal
Kai Havertz has been unavailable since August
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Arsenal had a tough time at home to Brentford in last season's corresponding fixture, with a 1-1 draw all but ending their title hopes. They have raided the Bees since then, though, making a summer swoop for Christian Norgaard.
The Danish midfielder has been used sparingly by Arteta but the manager has talked up his qualities. "What I saw on the pitch and everything I heard about him as a leader," he said. "The moment I picked up the phone and spoke to him and he brought something we didn't have in the squad."
Former Brentford captain Norgaard has yet to start in the league for his new club, and the return of Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard could see him pushed further down the pecking order. Odegaard returned from a knee injury to make a late cameo against Bayern Munich last week and could return to the starting XI after playing a further half-hour at Chelsea.
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