Mikel Arteta reveals Viktor Gyokeres injury latest in four-man Arsenal update | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has also delivered an update on Gabriel Jesus as he nears a return to first team action

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has delivered an update on Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Chelsea.

Mikel Merino has led the line in their absence and performed well, scoring twice at Slavia Prague earlier this month.

Arteta will be keen to get Gyokeres and Havertz, though, as the fixture list is about to get congested over the festive period.

Havertz has been out of action since August after injuring his knee in the first game of the season and undergoing surgery.

Arsenal are next in action on Sunday, when they travel to London rivals Chelsea, and Arteta has given an update on his injured strikers.

Speaking on Friday, the Arsenal boss said: “We have another day tomorrow, so let’s see how everybody has come on.

“Clear, not yet, but they are getting closer on closer. So, we are very positive with both of them - and let’s see.”

Arteta also revealed Leandro Trossard, who was forced to come in the first half of Arsenal’s win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday, has a chance to be available for selection.

Kai Havertz has made just one appearance for Arsenal this season

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Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus has been out for longer than Gyokeres and Havertz, with the Brazilian suffering a serious knee injury in January that required surgery.

Jesus took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday in what Arteta has described as a “positive” session and has revealed if the Arsenal No9 is ready for a return to first team action.

“It did happen. Gabi [Jesus] participated, Ethan [Nwaneri] as well because he wanted some minutes,” the Spaniard added. “So we took that opportunity for the players that needed a bit of exposure and competition to provide that to them. It was very positive.

“We have to see. Obviously, he has been out 11 months and you need that progression. You need to see how his body, that knee reacts and what else does he need.

“The players that we have available as well, it has to make sense to have the right balance in the squad. The good thing is that it is very, very close at the moment.”