A round-up of the latest Arsenal injury news ahead of the Gunners visiting Sheffield United, as manager Mikel Arteta gives updates on Gabriel Jesus and Thomas Partey.
The Emirates Stadium team will travel to Bramall Lane on Monday night looking to take their Premier League winning run to seven games. Arsenal are enjoying their best run of form this season, having won every game since the New Year with 25 goals scored to three conceded.
Arsenal also beat Sheffield United 5-0 when the two squads met in north London in October. The Blades will likely now fear a repeat result, having lost 5-0 to Brighton in their last fixture at home. Chris Wilder has not won at Bramall Lane since facing Brentford in December, too.
Arsenal injury list ahead of visiting Sheffield United
Paul Heckingbottom stood in charge of Sheffield United when Arsenal won 5-0 thanks to an Eddie Nketiah hat-trick. He was also in charge as the Gunners won 3-0 at Bramall Lane when they last visited in April 2021. Arsenal have not lost to Sheffield United since October 2019.
Sheffield United’s concerns might heighten further, too, with Arsenal possibly taking a nearly fully-fit team next Monday. Arteta has confirmed that the Gunners are set to welcome a few of their injury-hit men back. While a Monday night trip gives further stars a chance to get fit.
In an ideal scenario, Arsenal could even travel to Bramall Lane with Jurrien Timber their only absentee. The 22-year-old is the Gunners’ sole long-term injury concern as he continues his return from ACL surgery. So, with that in mind, here is the current injury situation at Arsenal.
Oleksandr Zinchenko injury latest
Arteta confirmed during his pre-game press conference on Thursday that Arsenal may have Oleksandr Zinchenko back following a calf injury at Sheffield United. The 27-year-old has not played in the Premier League since going off at half-time against Liverpool in the 3-1 victory.
Zinchenko has struggled with multiple calf injuries this season but has started in 17 of his 21 top-flight appearances. Centre-back Jakub Kiwior has stood in for the Ukraine hero in recent matches. But Arsenal will give Zinchenko the weekend to prove that he is now fit to feature.
“[Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu] are possible but we have to wait and see, especially with the last two sessions that we have on Saturday and Sunday,” Arteta said in his press conference. “If that’s the case, they might be available on Monday.”
Expected return: Sheffield United (March 4)
Takehiro Tomiyasu injury latest
Tomiyasu has not featured for Arsenal since New Year’s Eve after suffering a calf injury of his own whilst representing Japan at the Asian Cup. He had only just returned from his previous calf issue to face Fulham, too, before helping the Samurai Blue progress to the quarter-finals.
Expected return: Sheffield United (March 4)
Gabriel Jesus injury latest
Arsenal might also welcome Jesus back into their starting XI at Sheffield United after Arteta confirmed the Brazilian is fit. But the Spaniard remains unsure of how long the striker could last in their line-up. Jesus was only an unused substitute as they beat Newcastle United 4-1.
Arteta opted against risking Jesus with the Gunners comfortably beating the Magpies as he returned from a knee injury. The forward has not featured in the Premier League since the 26-year-old scored and assisted goals in their 2-1 win away to Nottingham Forest in January.
“He’s fit enough,” Arteta said during his press conference on Thursday. “But knowing how long he will last is something different probably. But we didn’t want to take any risks after the result that we had against Newcastle.
“Obviously we need him fit. He’s a massive player for us and we want to make sure that now we load the players in the right way.”
Expected return: Sheffield United (March 4)
Thomas Partey injury latest
Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal ‘should’ have Partey in their squad at Sheffield United for his long-awaited return from injury. The 30-year-old has played just 15 minutes since August after sustaining a thigh injury during training, right after he returned from his groin problem.
Partey needed surgery for the thigh issue he sustained at London Colney in October. Further setbacks also kept the Ghanaian out for longer than Arsenal hoped, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations. But the midfielder has resumed full training and is closing in on his latest return.
“Thomas had a session before the last game and, now, he’s done two consecutive sessions,” he said in his pre-match press conference. “So, he should be part of the squad on Monday.”
Expected return: Sheffield United (March 4)
Jurrien Timber injury latest
Timber is the only long-term absentee in Arsenal’s treatment room ahead of facing Sheffield United owing to his ACL injury. The defender sustained the blow 50 minutes into his Premier League bow against Nottingham Forest. But Timber has impressed Arteta since his surgery.
“Jurrien is not close enough to be part of the squad on Monday,” Arteta said during his press conference on Thursday. “It’s been a joy, and all the physios and the medical staff are really happy with his attitude and his commitment, especially with the way things have gone.
“It’s not a coincidence the way he applies [himself], how determined he is, his willingness to put every effort in everything that he’s demanded to do and he’s in a really good place.
“Now, we have to manage [him] because it’s the last stage of that difficult injury that is complicated. But I think he’s on the right way.”
Expected return: FC Porto (March 12)
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