Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus – Latest Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Chelsea

Latest Arsenal injury news as the Gunners redirect their focus on Sunday’s Premier League derby with Chelsea

Arsenal came away from Wednesday night’s Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven unscathed ahead of Sunday’s London derby with Chelsea.

With Mikel Arteta already being without a number of key first-team players, the Gunners named a somewhat rotated XI for the 2-2 draw. The likes of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Jurrien Timber and Leandro Trossard were all named on the bench in London while William Saliba was unused

After Sunday’s draw with Manchester United and no banana skin in Europe, the Gunners’ attention now turns to the Premier League with Chelsea to come. There will be hope that Martinelli can return to the starting 11 for the first time since February 5 after more minutes.

Elsewhere, there was an encouraging update regarding Gabriel Jesus’ recovery. The forward was ruled out for what could be up to nine months after requiring surgery on his knee. Posting online, he has now provided an update on his journey back to playing.

Writing on his various social media platforms, Jesus said: “The first seven weeks of recovery are done. Working hard and improving every day, thanks to God. Step by step! [prayer hands, bicep, and phone hands emoji]”

Alongside footage of his building his strength and mobility, Jesus also posted clips of him treating his knee on the sofa with the help of a club physio. He can also be seen cautiously using an exercise bike, stretching out at the Sobha Realty Training Complex, and needing crutches with both hands to walk slowly in the gym.

Kai Havertz, who was in attendance at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, is set to join Jesus out until the end of the season. Takehiro Tomiyasu has managed just six minutes so far this season, coming in a substitute appearance during their 3-1 win over Southampton, however the Japanese international will be sidelined until the backend of the year with a knee injury.

There is hope that Bukayo Saka will return after the international break. The England forward is behind Martinelli is his recovery with him being out with a hamstring injury since December.

Reports have stated that Saka is expected to return to full training within the next month, suggesting he may not be quite ready for the quarter-final first-leg on either Tuesday, April 8 or Wednesday, April 9.