Arsenal will hope to be nearing a fully fit squad for Sunday’s trip to Chelsea on their return to Premier League action.
The Gunners were able to welcome back long-term absentee Mohamed Elneny to the matchday squad for Thursday’s Europa League tie with FC Zurich, while Bukayo Saka shook off the knock he sustained against Nottingham Forest last weekend, leaving Mikel Arteta is a strong position ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at the Emirates Stadium and the expected return dates for those on the sidelines.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Zinchenko is on the verge of a return to first team action for Arsenal for the first time since the North London derby defeat of Tottenham on October 1
The versatile left back returned to training this week after missing eight consecutive fixtures in all competitions for the Gunners with a recurring calf injury. The Ukrainian was named in the matchday squad to face FC Zurich on Thursday but was not risked in the 1-0 victory, meaning there is a strong chance he is being saved for Sunday's clash with Chelsea.
Speaking on Wednesday, Arteta said: “Alex is just very recent and he’s had two training sessions.”
Should Oleksandr Zinchenko start against Chelsea on Sunday if he is fit enough? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Arsenal defender Tomiyasu is the latest name to be added to the club's injury list after pulling up with a hamstring issue during his short cameo in Thursday's 1-0 victory over FC Zurich in the Europa League.
The Japanese international was brought on in the 73rd minute of Thursday's contest to gain some valuable minutes ahead of the weekend, but lasted just 15 minutes. Tomiyasu was seen clutching his hamstring and now a nervous wait ensues ahead of the trip to Chelsea on Sunday.
Speaking on Thursday, Arteta said: "He had some muscular issue so we will assess him in the next 48 hours and see what happens."
Matt Turner
Arsenal’s second choice goalkeeper has been ruled out of the last three fixtures after picking up a groin injury ahead of last week’s 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.
Turner started Arsenal’s first four Europa League fixtures in place of no.1 Aaron Ramsdale but has missed the last two and is yet to return to the matchday squad. Following the injury, Arteta revealed that it was not “serious” and that he would be assessed, although an update on the situation is yet to be given.
Speaking on October 27, Arteta said: "Yesterday in training he had some discomfort in his groin. He tried this morning but he wasn’t well, so Aaron had to play. I don’t know (if his injury is serious) - we’ll have to assess him. It didn’t look a serious injury, no."
Emile Smith Rowe
Smith Rowe remains out of action until the New Year after undergoing surgery for a groin injury that he sustained against Manchester United on September 4.
While there has been no exact return date pencilled in for the youngster, there is a strong possibility he could return to first team training in December, although it is still expected that he will not feature for the Gunners again until 2023.
Speaking on September 30, Arteta said: “It is very difficult to give a timeline. It depends on the first process, how the bones heal, how was his first reaction, his improvement and how he's adapting. We need to go step by step.”
