Injury-hit Gunners dealt new double fitness concerned

Arsenal face Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday

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Arsenal could welcome back Gabriel Jesus against Club Brugge on Wednesday.

The Brazilian has not played since January because of a serious knee injury but is fit again and Arsenal have added him to their Champions League squad after Max Dowman suffered an ankle injury.

Jesus has travelled to Belgium and is set to be on the bench, having played two friendlies for Arsenal Under-21s in recent weeks.

“With the situation of Gabby, we expected him to be training with us by the end of December,” said Mikel Arteta.

Gabriel Jesus could feature for Arsenal against Club Brugge

“But Gabby has been pushing every single day and he kept telling everybody: ‘I am going to be earlier, earlier, earlier’ – and he’s done it.

“So, thanks to his work and all the work the medical staff have done with him throughout these months.”

Jesus’ return is a boost for Arsenal, who are set to be without seven players against Club Brugge.

Cristhian Mosquera (ankle), Gabriel (thigh) and Kai Havertz (knee) are all still out injured.

The Gunners have been dealt fresh blows, as Declan Rice is ill and Leandro Trossard has aggravated a calf problem.

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William Saliba is still not back after suffering a knock in training a few weeks ago, and Dowman is now injured.

“Max, unfortunately, he picked up an injury last weekend and he had to come off,” Arteta said. “So we did some scans and he is going to be out for weeks.”

Arteta hinted during his press conference on Tuesday night that Riccardo Calafiori’s minutes are being managed, so he could drop out of the team for Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Christian Norgaard and Ethan Nwaneri may get rare starts in midfield, while Mikel Merino could drop in there without Rice is ill.

In attack, Viktor Gyokeres has come off the bench in the last three games and so may be handed a start.

Out wide, Arteta could look to rest Bukayo Saka, which would open the door for Noni Madueke to play.

Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Timber, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Norgaard, Merino; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Injured: Dowman (ankle), Gabriel (thigh), Havertz (knee), Mosquera (ankle), Rice (ill), Saliba, Trossard (calf)

Time and date: 8pm GMT on Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Venue: Jan Breydel Stadium