BAD NEWS – Nightmare situation for Mikel Arteta as Arsenal Top-class star picks up injury in training and has been ruled out of Saturday Night’s game at Brighton
Arsenal are back in Premier League action again this weekend as they take on Brighton, with hopes that they can make a return to the top of the division. Their last clash on the domestic front ended in a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, despite a performance that could have warranted more.
Champions League action followed in midweek as a much-changed Arsenal side took on PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, having already qualified for the next round. A 1-1 draw followed, but there were some key absences and injury concerns for Mikel Arteta to contend with.
As the Brighton clash looms, the Spaniard has given a few key updates for the Gunners, who continue their charge towards the top.
Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli was absent from Arsenal’s first-team training on Monday. football.london understands that the Brazil international was unwell. The talented winger was then left out of the squad on Tuesday night as the Gunners took on PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, but appears to be well enough to face Brighton.
Injury: Illness
Expected return date: Brighton (H) – December 17
What Arteta has said: “He’s [Martinelli] feeling good. He’ll be in contention. Mo had to be subbed. He felt something in his hamstring. We did a scan and it doesn’t look too serious so he’ll be with us soon which is very good news.”
Mohamed Elneny
Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny made his return from injury in the Champions League in midweek against PSV Eindhoven, but had to be substituted with an injury concern. Fortunately, it appears as though the Egyptian international will make a return sooner than expected.
Injury: Hamstring
What Arteta has said: “Mo had to be subbed. He felt something in his hamstring. We did a scan and it doesn’t look too serious so he’ll be with us soon which is very good news.”
Thomas Partey
Partey has undergone a ‘procedure’ which is set to keep him out for the remainder of the year, football.london understands. Arteta recently provided a fresh update on the 30-year-old’s rehabilitation process but did not make it clear if he will be fit to face Liverpool in their FA Cup third-round clash at the start of 2024. On Thursday, a video emerged of Partey working hard to make his playing comeback in the gym at London Colney
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: January 2024
What Arteta has said: “We don’t know [if Partey will be back to face Liverpool in January]. He’s getting a very good evolution in the injury, but it’s a bit early for the time frame.
“That would be incredibly fast if he’s able to do that. We’re going to have to wait. We are quite short, with five key, key players not being available for us now for a period of time, but we have to continue.”
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Tomiyasu suffered a calf injury in the second-half of Arsenal’s clash against Wolves and he’s expected to be out of action until the new year.
Injury: Calf
Expectedreturn date: Late January to early February
What Arteta has said : “We had a scan and it’s not good news. He’s got an injury in his calf and he’s going to be out for a while I think.”
Fabio Vieira
Vieira has been nursing groin issue and underwent surgery on the injury.
Injury: Groin
Expected return date: Mid to late January 2024
What Arteta has said: “Yeah we’ve got a problem with him. He’s been having some discomfort. We sent him to see a specialist and the advice was to have an operation in his groin. He did that yesterday. We don’t expect him back this side of the winter break.”
Jurrien Timber
Timber , who joined the Gunners from Ajax in summer, suffered a devastating injury on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. At the end of the first-half of Arsenal’s clash against Nottingham Forest, the 22-year-old defender went down clutching his right knee.
After receiving treatment, he returned to the field for the second-half but he was quickly replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu. Following scans and further assessments, the north London outfit later revealed that the Netherlands international ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament – an injury which is set to keep him out of action for a large chunk of the season.
Injury: ACL
