Arsenal will aim to continue where they left off when they return to domestic action with a Premier League tie against West Ham on Boxing Day.
The Gunners were without Takehiro Tomiyasu and Emile Smith Rowe for their final fixture before the international break but Mikel Arteta has since seen four more of his players forced into the treatment room over the past four weeks, leaving him sweating on the fitness of a number of players ahead of Monday.
Here is all you need to know about the current state of play at the Emirates Stadium and the expected return dates for those out on the sidelines.
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Summer signing Oleksandr Zinchenko has been riddled with injuries since joining from Manchester City and currently finds himself ruled out of action with another fresh issue.
The versatile left back has picked up a setback to his long-term calf injury and missed all three of Arsenal ’s mid-season friendlies against Lyon, AC Milan and Juventus. However, it is hoped that the extra time to regain full fitness will see him return to action in time for Monday’s clash with West Ham.
Speaking on Sunday, Arteta said: "Alex is progressing well.”
Will Arsenal have enough to overcome West Ham without their injured players? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Reiss Nelson
Reiss Nelson has found game time hard to come by this season and could now be set for a further setback after limping off the pitch in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Juventus in Arsenal’s final mid-season friendly.
The winger had started the two previous games against Lyon and AC Milan during a warm-weather training camp in Dubai, in which he scored against the latter, but is now a major doubt to face West Ham after Arteta admitted that he does not know the full extent of the injury.
Speaking on Sunday, Arteta said: "We don’t know the extent of the injury. The fact that he had to leave the pitch straight away is not good news, especially with someone like Reiss who is really powerful and fast. Let’s see what will happen. We know what we have to do and that doesn’t change the plans."
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Right back Tomiyasu missed Arsenal’s final three fixtures before the international break but recovered in time to feature three times for Japan at the World Cup.
However, after playing the full 120 minutes of their last 16 defeat to Croatia on December 5, Tomiyasu picked up a fresh setback with his hamstring injury. Nonetheless, Arteta has since provided a positive update on the 24-year-old.
Speaking on Sunday, Arteta said: "Tomi is already running on the pitch.”
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga will be hoping to return to full fitness ahead of Arsenal’s festive clash with West Ham after picking up a knock to his foot last week.
The Belgian had started both of Arsenal’s friendly clashes with Lyon and AC Milan earlier this month but was a surprise omission from the matchday squad to face Juventus last weekend.
However, it was also revealed that Arteta had left the 23-year-old out as a precaution, meaning the injury is not assumed to be serious and that Lokonga should be on course to return to the side for Monday’s visit of West Ham.
Emile Smith Rowe
Smith Rowe is finally nearing a return to action from his long-term groin injury but is expected to miss out on Arsenal’s clash with West Ham on Monday.
The 22-year-old has been ruled out since September but is expected to return to training this week, although Boxing Day will come too soon for him, according to CBS Sports, with both Arsenal and the player 'taking their time to make sure he is 100 percent ready on his return.'
Speaking in his latest update on Sunday, Arteta said: “Emile the last few days hasn’t been able to train but hopefully he can start next week. He’s been out for a while now and he needs some time to get back to speed, but we really need him."
Gabriel Jesus
In what is Arsenal’s biggest injury blow, star striker Gabriel Jesus has been ruled out for the long-term after undergoing surgery for a knee injury sustained at the World Cup with Brazil.
The former Man City forward suffered medial ligament damage against Cameroon on December 2 and subsequently returned to London to undergo surgery, before starting his long rehabilitation process. As a result, he could now be out of action for up to four months.
Speaking on December 8, Arteta said: “We will have to take (it) day-by-day, week-by-week and see where it takes us."
