Mikel Arteta dealing with key new fitness issue ahead of home game against Crystal Palace

Fresh concern: Gabriel could join Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke on the Arsenal sidelines this weekend

Arsenal will bid to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League when they host Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Gunners are currently three points clear of Manchester City in second place and Mikel Arteta’s side now look like favourites to win the title this season.

Arsenal thrashed Atletico Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday and now finish October with back-to-back home games against Palace and then Brighton in the Carabao Cup last 16 next Wednesday.

Arteta is still having to cope with several injury absences ahead of the Palace game, with one new key doubt emerging.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Arsenal injury news.

Gabriel

Gabriel started as usual in defence and scored Arsenal’s opener against Atletico, heading home Declan Rice’s impressive free-kick to open the second-half floodgates.

However, he was later seen stretching his thigh and made way for summer signing Cristhian Mosquera less than 20 minutes from time.

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Arteta revealed on Friday that Gabriel had picked up an unspecified issue and been unable to train in the build-up to facing Palace, making him a huge doubt unless he can recover quickly over the weekend.

“Obviously, Big Gabi had to leave the pitch with an issue and he hasn’t been able to train yet,” Arteta said. “So, let’s see how he evolves in the next 24 hours, whether he is available or not for the weekend.”

Potential return date: Sunday October 26, vs Crystal Palace (H) or Saturday November 1, vs Burnley (A)

Martin Odegaard

Martin Odegaard’s season so far has been blighted by injury, with a persistent shoulder complaint his first problem in the early part of the campaign.

He returned against West Ham but then suffered a medical collateral ligament problem in his left knee which has left him sidelined for “weeks”, according to Arteta.

Frustration: Arsenal captain Odegaard quickly suffered a knee injury after returning from a shoulder issue

Action Images via Reuters

Odegaard withdrew from Norway’s squad during the recent international break to focus on his recovery, which could take longer than a month.

While no official timeframe has been offered for his return, it is expected that Odegaard will be out until after the November international break and miss at least seven games in the process.

Potential return date: Sunday November 23, vs Tottenham (H)

Noni Madueke

Noni Madueke has also been unfortunate with injury since his summer arrival from Chelsea.

The winger suffered a knee issue against Manchester City last month and is still facing a number of weeks out.



Key miss: Noni Madueke is recovering from his own knee injury

Getty Images

“It looks like he is going to be out for a few weeks,” said Arteta. “We don’t really know yet. Probably we are going to have to scan him next week again.

“He felt something at the beginning of the match. He tried to carry on and at half-time it was too sore, so let’s see.”

Potential return date: November

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz has not played since the opening day win over Manchester United after he required surgery on his knee.

Arteta has not been particularly forthcoming with a timeframe for his return to action but it could potentially be ahead of the November international break, should his recovery go to plan.

“There is still a lot to do in his rehab,” Arteta said on Havertz last week. “He is really pushing it but we have to wait and see.

“He wants to break every timeline, I am sure. But we have to protect him and make sure that when he comes back, he comes back for the long-term.”

Potential return date: November

Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus last played for Arsenal in January. The striker tore his anterior cruciate ligament against Manchester United in the FA Cup and has been sidelined for the entirety of this season so far.

It appears that his recovery is going well, but Arteta insisted that he would need to be cautious about reintroducing him to match action.

Arteta said: “Gabi is doing super well. I think he looks in a really good place. Obviously, it’s a massive injury, and we need to come from that in a really strong way, but certainly he’s in the right place and making very strong strides.”

Recent reports stated that Jesus was targeting December for his return to the pitch.

Addressing the recoveries of Odegaard, Madueke, Havertz and Jesus on Friday, Arteta said: “They are all progressing really well. They have all started to do certain activities.

“They are all super willing to be available as quick as possible, but at the moment none of them are yet in contention in the next week or so.”

Potential return date: December