Gabriel picked up an injury on international duty for Brazil.placeholder image
Gabriel picked up an injury on international duty for Brazil. | Getty Images
Mikel Arteta has been handed fresh injury worries ahead of welcoming Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal on Sunday.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has felt the impact of an injury crisis too often during his time at the Emirates Stadium and, as the Premier League title race starts to hot up, the Spaniard could have another conundrum on his hands.
The Gunners remain top of the table but will be all too aware of a recent rampant run of Manchester City form ahead of the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon. Arsenal will look to return to winning ways following a draw against Sunderland last time out.
However, the Gunners may have to do that without the services of a defensive stalwart following a problem picked up on the international break. LondonWorld has updates on Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Viktor Gyokeres and other injured Arsenal players.
Arsenal injury update
Riccardo Calafiori
Riccardo Calafiori has, arguably, had just as big an impact for Arsenal in defence this season as Gabriel. The 23-year-old has started every Premier League fixture so far.
However, around the same time when Arsenal fans saw Gabriel pick up a problem, news from the Italy camp confirmed an injury to Calafiori. The full-back has left international duty due to a hip injury.
That’s not a new problem with Calafiori making the squad despite the niggling problem. Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso said: “He tried to be available but he can’t force now.”
Expected return date - Arsenal v Tottenham, November 23.
Kai Havertz
Some of the pressure to get Viktor Gyokeres fit again would be alleviated should Kai Havertz come back from injury. The German hasn’t featured since a 30 minute run out against Manchester United on the opening day of the season because of a knee injury.
Havertz underwent surgery on the problem, which has made his return complicated. Prior to the international break, which Havertz has not been involved in, Arteta had teased that he hoped to have the forward available this weekend in a ‘huge boost’ to his squad.
Expected return date - Arsenal v Tottenham, November 23.
Noni Madueke
Arsenal landed a deal of up to £52 million with Chelsea to bring Noni Madueke across London this summer but the winger has had a stuttering start to life at the Emirates Stadium due to a knee injury.
Madueke picked up that problem against Manchester City on September 21 and has been working on a return since. Alongside Havertz, the former Blues star was another that Arteta hinted at being available to face Spurs.
Expected return date - Arsenal v Tottenham, November 23.
Gabriel Martinelli
Alongside Madueke and Havertz in eyeing a potential return from injury against Tottenham Hotspur is Gabriel Martinelli. The winger hasn’t been away with Brazil following a knock picked up against Crystal Palace on October 26.
It’s not thought to be a serious problem that would keep the forward out for many more weeks. Martinelli has only lost one of his six matches against Spurs, winning all of the other five.
Expected return date - Arsenal v Tottenham, November 23.
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus hasn’t played for Arsenal since January but has found his name in the headlines over the international break - and not because he’s been representing Brazil.
Expected return date - December.
Gabriel picks up injury on Brazil international duty
Gabriel
The big injury concern this week is a problem picked up by centre-back Gabriel when in action for Brazil on Saturday night. Carlo Ancelotti’s side beat Senegal at the Emirates Stadium in friendly action but the defender hit the deck in the second half.
Gabriel received treatment to his right thigh but still had to be substituted. Speaking after the game, Ancelotti confirmed that he had suffered an abductor injury with scans also showing a knee problem in hugely worrying news for Arsenal.
The player has returned to Arsenal to be assessed and supporters will be eager to hear from Arteta in his pre-match press conference on Friday. It does feel inevitable that Gabriel will miss out against Tottenham Hotspur.
Expected return date - Unknown.
Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard continues to be a big miss at the heart of midfield for Arsenal. The captain suffered a knee injury in the win over West Ham on October 4 and has not been back since.
The 26-year-old is another who did not head off on international duty to focus on his recovery. During the break, Norway manager Stale Slobakken said that Odegaard was still ‘some distance away’ from being fit again in a blow to the Gunners, despite ‘steady’ progress on rehabilitation.
Expected return date - Unknown.
Viktor Gyokeres
Arsenal forked out £55 million to bring Viktor Gyokeres in from Sporting Lisbon to lead the line at the Emirates Stadium this summer. The talisman has managed six goals in all competitions but missed out against Sunderland due to a hamstring issue.
Mikel Merino started up front in that match and may have to do the same against Tottenham Hotspur. Gyokeres was not included in the Sweden squad for the international break and Arteta was unable to provide a firm timeline on his recovery before the internationals.
Expected return date - Unknown.
In other news, Arsenal star suffers injury, winger underwhelms Tottenham ace claims assist, with 40-cap star on cusp of World Cup.
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