A palpable sense of anxiety has hung over the Emirates Stadium, but a crucial update from manager Mikel Arteta has provided a much-needed glimmer of hope. A severe injury crisis that threatened to derail Arsenal’s campaign may be easing, just in time for one of the season’s most pivotal fixtures.
The club’s treatment room has been occupied by a worrying number of key players. The situation remains particularly dire for talismanic striker Gabriel Jesus, who is ruled out with a knee injury until January 3rd, 2026—a massive blow that robs the team of its tactical focal point. His absence is compounded by the loss of Gabriel Martinelli, whose explosive pace on the wing is irreplaceable. The club’s vague update on Martinelli still stands, stating simply, “Martinelli is still out. We don’t know yet [how long], but this next Tuesday’s Champions League match comes too soon.”
However, a major boost could be on the horizon. Arteta has revealed that captain Martin Ødegaard, midfielder Kai Havertz, and winger Noni Madueke could all be fit for the North London derby against Tottenham on November 23rd. The trio have each been sidelined with knee injuries, with Ødegaard out since October 4, Madueke since September 21, and Havertz since the opening weekend. Their potential returns would be transformative, reinjecting creativity, physicality, and depth into the squad. This positive news aligns with the manager’s earlier, more cryptic prognosis that after the international break, “I think we’ll have some back.”
The woes extend to other new signings, with Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi also sidelined after recent matches. Gyokeres, who felt a muscular issue, has “No Return Date,” while Zubimendi is “Currently Being Assessed” after asking to be substituted.