Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli are both out injured but there is hope over the timline for their returns to action in the Premier League
15:06, 04 Nov 2025
Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal
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Viktor Gyokeres picked up an injury against Burnley at the weekend(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Arsenal are eyeing the North London Derby for the comeback of Viktor Gyokeres and Gabriel Martinelli. The Gunners are optimistic that the pair will be fit to play after the international break, which kicks off next week.
Gyokeres found the back of the net against Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday, but didn't return to the pitch after half-time due to a muscle problem. The Swedish striker hasn't made the trip for Arsenal's Champions League face-off with Slavia Praha and isn't expected to take part in this weekend's match against Sunderland either.
Mikel Arteta admitted his concern over Gyokeres' condition when discussing Arsenal's European match. "I am concerned because he hasn't had many muscular issues and he had to leave the pitch," said Arteta.
"He was feeling something and that's obviously never a good sign. Especially for a player that is very, very explosive, so we are digging in a little bit more to understand where we are in terms of the injury and we will announce it when we know more."
It has now come to light that Arsenal are hopeful both Gyokeres and Martinelli will be ready to return to the pitch before the month is out, according to The Athletic.
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Arteta also disclosed that Gyokeres was disheartened after his progress was interrupted. "He was very disappointed after the match with what he felt, but this is part of football," Arteta commented.
"At the end of the day, if you expect a linear line, everything going up, it's not going to happen. If he's got something he's going to have to deal with, we will help him to do that.
"As you said, he was in a really good moment, in a really good form, it's very important for the team. But for tomorrow, we don't have him, so that's it."
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal looks dejectedduring the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between Arsenal FC and Olympiacos FC at Arsenal Stadium on October 01, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Viktor Gyokeres is injured(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
The striker's comeback might well coincide with several other key players returning to fitness ahead of the clash with Tottenham. Players such as Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard may still feature in the matchday squad, whilst Martinelli has been absent for Arsenal's previous three fixtures.
"I would say weeks and some of them pretty soon hopefully if they keep evolving the way they are doing," Arteta said of that group of injured players last week. "It's difficult to put a game, you know that we have the international break, which is a two-week break there, and after that I think we'll have some back.
"I don't know if it's going to be all of them, some of them, but we'll be quite close by then."
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