Mikel Arteta gives Arsenal injury updates on Gabriel, Ben White and Martin Zubimendi before Everton clash | OneFootball

Gabriel is “not far” from returning to the Arsenal line-up, Mikel Arteta has revealed, as the manager gave an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Everton this weekend.

The Brazilian defender was integral to Arsenal’s impressive start to the season before suffering a hip injury playing for Brazil against Senegal in a friendly at the Emirates last month.

Arsenal, who are two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, have kept only one clean sheet in the five Premier League games since Gabriel was injured, which coincided with a knock to his long-term defensive partner William Saliba.

Saliba is now back in the team and Arteta hinted it might not be long before Gabriel returns to join him – although the manager would not be pushed on whether he would be fit to face surprise title rivals Aston Villa, who are third, on 30 December.

“He’s pushing hard, as he does,” Arteta said. “He’s doing [training] sessions, he’s not too far. We have to see how he progresses but we are quite positive.”

Ben White added his name to the injury list with a hamstring strain picked up during the Gunners’ dramatic 2-1 win over Wolves last weekend, and he is not expected to return until the new year.

“He’s out [of the Everton game],” Arteta confirmed. “He’s evolving well. It’s not a major injury but it will keep him out for a few games. It’s not a major problem, he’s a really fast healer so let’s hope to have him after the next few games.”

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Ben White goes off with an injury in the first half against Wolves (Getty Images)

Arteta also spoke about Kai Havertz, suggesting he could soon return to the side after a long period out with a knee injury, and explained that Martin Zubimendi missed training this week due to load management.

“The small windows that we have, we make sure that we look after him and he understands that every possibility and every chance that you have to look after yourself, you have to take it in this league, because the demands are going to be really, really high,” Arteta said of the Spanish midfielder.

“But I think he’s coping really, really well with the league, with all the challenges that the league brings to you. A new club, a new country, and I think he’s been exceptional.”

After a rare week between games, Arteta is preparing his team for an intense run of festive fixtures, with a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace on Tuesday before Premier League games against Brighton, Villa, Bournemouth and Liverpool in the space of 12 days.

The manager was asked what he would like for Christmas. “Win, win, win, win!

“All the games that we want. After, the rest [outside football] will come naturally, but my mood, my energy, is going to be much better, so that’s what I want.”