Mikel Arteta has insisted he will not put a timeframe on Gabriel Jesus’ potential return date from injury.
The Brazilian forward – who missed the first three game of the season with a knee problem – limped off during Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Sevilla in the Champions League last Tuesday.
The Brazilian felt a tweak in his hamstring at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium after he had scored and provided a brilliant assist for compatriot Gabriel Martinelli.
Subsequent scans ruled him out of the weekend’s 5-0 victory over Sheffield United and he is also set to miss Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against West Ham, but Arteta refused to put a timeline on his return after previously ‘getting it totally wrong’.
‘With him [Jesus], I’m honestly not going to give [a timeframe],’ the Gunners boss told his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against the Hammers at the London Stadium.
He’s already pushing everybody and wants to be back as quickly as possible, and we need him, so that’s great.’
The injury comes at a cruel time for Jesus after he had just begun to pick up some form.
He has netted three times in Arsenal’s three Champions League group games so far, while also adding another goal in the Premier League.
After picking up the injury against Sevilla, Jesus had hinted that he wouldn’t be absent for any particular length of time as he said: ‘I felt something. Let’s see. I did some tests with the physio. It looks not that big (an issue) but let’s see.
‘I will have a scan. Let’s see how it is, but I am pretty sure it will be nothing.’
Elsewhere, Arteta also confirmed Martin Odegaard would be back available after he was rested against the Blades at the weekend, but explained how he would continue to monitor the Norwegian midfielder’s fitness.
He added: ‘We rested him the other day, so it’s how long we rest him for and how we manage the minutes and the rhythm that he needs to be at his best.’
However, the Spaniard revealed Thomas Partey would be out for several weeks with a muscular injury.
Tonight’s clash sees Declan Rice return to his former club for the first time since his £105m summer move to the Emirates Stadium as both sides look to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
