Mikel Arteta hopes to have Viktor Gyokeres available for Arsenal’s north London derby showdown with Tottenham this weekend.
The Sweden international went off at half-time against Burnley at the beginning of the month with what was reported to be a hamstring issue.
He missed subsequent games against Slavia Prague and Sunderland and was not involved in Sweden’s World Cup qualifying matches through the international break.
With Kai Havertz suffering a setback in his bid to return from a knee injury, Mikel Merino has once more deputised up top for the Gunners.
Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke have also been injury absentees with Gabriel Jesus working his way back from a long-term layoff.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
Metro’s football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive evaluation, FPL suggestions and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – join, it’s an open goal.
Speaking on Friday ahead of the derby, Arteta was giving little away as as to if that injured contingent including Gyokeres might be available but hopes the exertions put in through the international break can pay off.
‘We put loads of energy within the international break with the medical staff to attempt to bring them back as quickly as possible,’ Arteta said.
‘Tomorrow now we have one other training session to see how they’re feeling, if this game is just too close or they’ll have a contribution in the sport.”
Gabriel Magalhaes injury latest
Gabriel Magalhaes was the most important casualty of the international break, limping out of Brazil’s victory over Senegal on the Emirates last Saturday.
The Brazil international is facing a minimum of a month on the sidelines with a thigh injury, immediately ruling him out of the visit of Thomas Frank’s side and an enormous Champions League clash with Bayern Munich midweek.
‘Gabi unfortunately picked up an injury with the Brazilian national team and goes to be out for weeks,’ Arteta said.
‘We want to have one other scan, I feel it’s next Wednesday. We could have a time that’s far more clear than for the time being.’
‘It’s clearly a blow., It’s our leader in our backline. To miss him isn’t a positive thing. The nice thing is now we have some superb options. They should rise up now.’
Will Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori be fit for Spurs?
There was also concern for Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber through the international break. Calafiori missed Italy’s games against Moldova and Norway with a hip issue while Timber suffered a cut on his knee following a heavy challenge playing for Netherlands.
Timber was capable of carry on before being replaced midway through the second-half.
Calafiori nevertheless has not trained since returning to the capital and is a doubt for Sunday.
‘Yeah he wasn’t available, he’s been carrying a couple of things and we needed to bring him back,’ Arteta said.
‘He hasn’t trained yet, now we have a session tomorrow so we are going to see.’
MORE: Crystal Palace give Jean-Philippe Mateta and Marc Guehi injury update
MORE: Antoine Semenyo injury update ahead of Bournemouth vs West Ham
MORE: Eddie Howe gives Nick Pope injury update ahead of Newcastle vs Man City