Mikel Arteta provides huge injury boost ahead of key Brentford fixture

Arsenal have a great opportunity to put their Everton defeat behind them by defeating Brentford on Saturday afternoon. Furthermore, the Gunners have a game in hand and could extend their lead with the first of two crucial games against Manchester City.

The two matches could still be crucial in the title race, and Arsenal fans will be pleased to see Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe making progress after lengthy absences. Jesus has yet to play since the World Cup, while Smith Rowe’s season has been plagued by injuries.

Their gradual reintegration into the squad would be a huge boost for the second half of the season, adding quality to the frontline. With Arteta looking to get Arsenal back on track after two defeats in a row, football.london compiles the latest injury news for the Gunners.

Emile Smith Rowe

Smith Rowe’s season has been hampered by groin problems, with the 22-year-old making only five Premier League appearances so far this season.

The Hale End academy graduate made substitute appearances against Tottenham and Oxford United but was ruled out of the FA Cup tie against Manchester City.

London understands he has a thigh strain and was kept out as a precaution.

This problem also kept him out of the trip to Everton, and it is unclear whether he will be available for selection for Brentford.

Date of expected return: N/A

Gabriel Jesus

After suffering medial ligament damage while playing for Brazil against Cameroon in the World Cup group stages, Jesus returned to London for knee surgery, with the expectation that he will be out for at least another month.

Speaking to former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov at the Emirates Stadium last month, Jesus admitted he hopes to be back on the pitch in “four to five weeks”. On Wednesday, February 1, the 25-year-old provided an update on his fitness status by posting an Instagram photo of himself back on the training pitch.

He has since been seen running in an Instagram post with the caption “After eight weeks,” and his personal trainer Andre Cunha has shared a video of him running, which has enthralled fans.

The expected return date is in February or March 2023.

What Arteta has to say: “He’s making good progress, working hard, and is on track to meet the deadline we set for him, but he’s still a little behind.

“I’d like to see him right away, but I doubt it will happen. With that one, we’ll have to be patient. But let’s wait and see. It’s a complicated surgery, and there are always a lot of things to be cautious of in any surgery. He’s a player who will strive to be extremely quick on the pitch.”

Reiss Nelson

Nelson’s hamstring injury was unknown, with Arteta admitting after a friendly against Juventus in December that it could be problematic. Nelson recently posted a positive update on his Instagram story, showing him running on the treadmill.

However, the 23-year-old has been spotted in training and is expected to return for the game against Brentford.

Brentford (H) – February 11th is the expected return date.

Mohamed Elneny

Elneny started and played the entire 90-minute game against Oxford United in the FA Cup. The Egyptian, however, was missing from Arteta’s squad for the 2-0 win at Tottenham, with a knee injury picked up in training ahead of the game being assessed. Furthermore, there was no room on the bench to face Manchester United.

Last week, a club statement confirmed that the former Basel man will be out for an extended period of time, though no timetable for his return was given. “Following an injury sustained during a recent training session, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Mohamed Elneny has a significant injury to his right knee,” according to the update.

“Mo underwent successful surgery in London and will be sidelined for an indefinite period of time. Once the initial stages of rehabilitation are completed, a more detailed timetable will be established.

“Everyone at the club will give Mo all the help he needs and will work hard with him to get him back in the game as soon as possible.”

Date of expected return: N/A