Arsenal players are this morning for the first time in an age waking up to not being top of the Premier League, and their fitness woes have likely contributed.
A 3-1 home loss to champions Manchester City will have frustrated and concerned Mikel Arteta in equal measure, with the manager clearly suffering from the loss of midfielder Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus in particular.
Jorginho and Eddie Nketiah deputised for the pair and underwhelmed, the former not suited to the role and the latter guilty of a number of glaring misses in front of goal.
There are other important squad members also missing, so here’s a look at the latest Arsenal injury news.
Thomas Partey
Partey is the biggest miss for the Gunners, as Wednesday night’s home loss to Manchester City proved. One of Arsenal’s most important players had to sit out the game after picking up a muscle injury in training.
It is understood to not be too serious, but remains a doubt to face Aston Villa this weekend.
Gabriel Jesus
The Brazilian has not played for Arsenal since before the World Cup, having suffered an injury with Brazil which required surgery on his knee.
Jesus posted on Instagram at the end of January that he was still “four or five weeks” away from a return, meaning a comeback has been penciled in for early March, but Arteta is reluctant to put a date on it.
He told reporters earlier this week: “He's on the pitch, and he's been doing a lot of work on his own with the ball. He's in good spirits, and so far, the rehab is going well. Unfortunately, [there's no timeframe], ask the doctor; maybe he gives you one.”
Emile Smith Rowe
A key figure at the start of the season, Smith Rowe has not had much luck with injuries of late.
Needing surgery before the World Cup, the 22-year-old picked up another thigh problem after brief cameos against Tottenham and Oxford last month, but has not been seen since.
Arteta said last week: “Emile is closer [to a return]. He's started to do some activities and [has worked] outside, but is not ready yet to be considered.”
Mohamed Elneny
Jorginho has overtaken Elneny in the pecking order, but Arteta will still have hoped to have the midfileder to call upon in recent weeks, especially with the Europa League resuming soon.
Elneny recently underwent knee surgery and will be ruled out for an “extended period of time.”
Reiss Nelson
The 23-year-old has been hampered with a hamstring injury recently but is understood to be nearing a return.
