This Sunday, Arsenal plays Brentford in the Premier League with the goal of securing all three points and catching up to league leaders Manchester City, who are now leading by one point.
Prior to this weekend’s Premier League matchup against Brentford, Arsenal has received two significant injury boosts: Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard are expected to be available. After missing time due to a hamstring injury, Jesus made a comeback during the international break. On Wednesday night, he played the entire ninety minutes for Brazil in their 1-0 loss to Argentina.
Prior to the Tyneside loss, during a training session, Gunners skipper Odegaard took a ball to the face, missing his team’s 1-0 loss at Newcastle United earlier this month. After having a concussion evaluated, the 24-year-old missed the next two games against Sevilla and Burnley. He then failed a fitness test before the match against the Magpies.
In addition, the former Real Madrid midfielder was coping with an unrelated hip issue. He did, however, resume training during the international break.
The duo’s return to full fitness is a major boost for Mikel Arteta’s side, who will be without long-term absentees Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey and Emile Smith Rowe for Saturday’s trip to the Gtech Community Stadium. Hale End academy graduate Smith Rowe is currently out of action with a knee issue and football.london understands that the talented playmaker won’t be back until next month.
Right-back Ben White is being assessed ahead of the game in west London after missing the match against Burnley. football.london understands that the versatile defender was struggling with a muscle injury of his own.
When asked about White after the 5-0 victory against the Clarets, Arteta said: “Yesterday in training he wasn’t comfortable. He didn’t look right. But Ben won’t give you much. He always wants to be on the pitch and he wants to hide anything that is in there.
“But we highlighted something happening there that we noticed in the last two weeks as well. We wanted to protect him today.
“It was the right call from the physios and the medical department and tomorrow we will assess him and understand what’s happening.”