Arsenal are gearing up for a crucial Premier League encounter against Brentford on Thursday, following a convincing 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium over the weekend. Striker Viktor Gyokeres netted twice, while midfielder Martin Zubimendi added another goal to secure the win. Despite this success, the Gunners, who currently sit top of the table after 25 fixtures, face stiff competition from Manchester City and Aston Villa in the title race.
Injury Concerns for Key Wingers: Saka and Trossard
The fitness of Arsenal's star wingers, Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka, is under scrutiny ahead of the Brentford match. Trossard was substituted during the Sunderland game after receiving on-pitch treatment, with Christian Norgaard taking his place. Medical assessments over the coming days will determine his availability, though no official update has been provided yet.
Saka has missed Arsenal's last two matches in all competitions, against Chelsea and Sunderland, due to a hip issue. Similar to Trossard, he will undergo checks this week to decide if he can feature against Brentford. Manager Mikel Arteta recently commented on Saka's condition, stating, "His hip is getting much better. Hopefully, very soon he will be with us."
The England international, with 48 caps, is a pivotal figure for Arteta, having debuted in 2018 and amassed 77 goals in 294 appearances, including seven this season. His return would be a significant boost for the team.
Midfield Updates: Odegaard and Merino
In midfield, Martin Odegaard made a late appearance in the away match against Leeds United last month but was absent for the subsequent games against Chelsea and Sunderland. Arteta expressed optimism about his recovery, saying, "Martin again is getting better. It will be a matter of days, we believe," suggesting he should be back for the Brentford clash.
However, Arsenal will be without Mikel Merino for an extended period due to a stress fracture. His exact return date remains uncertain, with his father, Miguel, explaining on Spanish radio station Cadena Ser that the injury is poorly documented, leading to doubts about recovery time. He noted, "It's a stress fracture. It's not an injury to the toes, it's a bit more internal. There are many doubts regarding his recovery."
Additional Squad News
Elsewhere, young talent Max Dowman continues to recover from ankle ligament damage and is not available for selection. Arteta indicated that Dowman's return is still a few weeks away, stating, "Max hasn't trained with us so it will still be a few weeks I think. But he's getting better."
As Arsenal prepare for their upcoming fixture, managing these injuries will be crucial in maintaining their position at the top of the Premier League table.
