Arsenal has reason for optimism as the club management expects that striker Viktor Gyökeres and winger Gabriel Martinelli will return to action after the November international break. Both players have been sidelined in recent weeks due to muscle issues, adding to the list of injuries that coach Mikel Arteta has had to manage.
Despite these setbacks, Arsenal has maintained excellent form and continues to lead the Premier League table. Gyökeres, who joined the London club in the summer, quickly became a key figure in the attack and impressed both fans and analysts with his performances. He had to be substituted at halftime in the win over Burnley because of a muscle problem, but medical reports indicate that his condition is improving.
The club is not willing to risk an early return for the Swedish forward and prefers to give him enough time for full recovery. Gyökeres will therefore miss the Champions League match against Slavia Prague and the weekend fixture with Sunderland, but he is expected to be ready immediately after the break.
Brazilian international Martinelli suffered a similar injury at the end of October in the match against Crystal Palace. Since then, he has missed the cup game with Brighton and the league match against Burnley. The club hopes that he too will be ready to rejoin the squad after the break.
There are also positive updates from other injured players. Kai Havertz, Martin Ødegaard and Noni Madueke are progressing well in their recovery and could return within the next few weeks. Striker Gabriel Jesus continues individual training at the London Colney training center, and his progress gives hope for an early comeback to the team.
Mikel Arteta expects to have a broader squad full of key players available after the international break. This could be crucial ahead of the prestigious North London derby awaiting Arsenal once the league resumes.
