Mikel Arteta hints at Arsenal attacking boosts for Tottenham derby as six push for injury returns | OneFootball

Striker Viktor Gyokeres is among the key Gunners stars to have been sidelined of late

Mikel Arteta is hopeful that Arsenal will be able to welcome back some of their six injured attackers for Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham.

Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke have all been absent with knee injuries, while Gabriel Martinelli and Viktor Gyokeres have been on the sidelines due to muscular issues.

It is understood that both Martinelli and Madueke have also made good progress recently, too.

“We put a lot of energy during the international break, with all the medical staff as well, to try to bring them [back] as quick as possible,” said Arteta on Friday.

“So, tomorrow we have another training session, see how some of them are feeling, whether it is a bit too close to bring them into this game or we feel they can have a contribution in the game.

“Tomorrow we will have more clarity. I am hopeful that we can make another step tomorrow, but certainly I cannot tell you.

“I can tell you [the names of the players], but I am not going to do it. It is the final stage and now it is when there is contact around them, when they have to be pushing to do very unpredictable things that they haven’t done.

“I think they are going to be with us soon. I don’t know if Sunday is going to be too soon.”

Jesus has been out of action since January after undergoing knee surgery and Arteta has hinted that the striker may play in a friendly before returning to first-team action.

“[He is doing] very good,” said Arteta. “He is doing everything with the team at the moment, for the last almost two weeks.

“We are going to give him some exposure internally with some games, so he gets that fitness. But he looks really good in training and he is going to be a big addition to the team.”