The latest Arsenal injury news ahead of the Gunners visiting Brentford as Mikel Arteta delivers an update on the fitness of Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard aims to return.
Brentford have already lost once at home to Arsenal this term after exiting the Carabao Cup in September. Reiss Nelson scored the only goal of their Gtech Community Stadium tie after only eight minutes. It also extended the Gunners’ unbeaten run in the fixture to four games.
Not since Brentford stunned Arsenal 2-0 on their Premier League debut in August 2021 have the Bees beaten the Gunners. Arteta would have also claimed four consecutive wins against Thomas Frank’s squad without Ivan Toney’s illegitimate goal standing in February’s 1-1 draw.
Arsenal will now look to go two-for-two at the Gtech Community Stadium this season when they visit Brentford on Saturday. The Emirates Stadium side may also end the weekend atop the Premier League table with a win as Manchester City meet Liverpool earlier on Saturday.
But Arteta has a number of potential injury concerns ahead of Arsenal travelling across the capital to face Brentford again. The Spaniard will also be without David Raya, who is unable to play against his parent club. So, with that in mind, here is the latest from London Colney.
Martin Odegaard injury latest
Arsenal captain Odegaard is trending towards a return from injury at Brentford on Saturday. The Evening Standard reports that the 24-year-old showed progress during the international break after having to miss the Gunners’ last two Premier League games due to a concussion.
Odegaard had initially watched Arsenal beat Sheffield United 5-0 from their bench due to his earlier hip injury. But his absence against Newcastle United and Burnley came after a ball hit the Norway skipper in the face during training. But Odegaard should now play at Brentford.
Expected return: Brentford (November 25)
Gabriel Jesus injury latest
Arteta has confirmed that Jesus is available for selection when Arsenal visit Brentford after recovering from a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old has not featured in the Premier League since the Gunners drew 2-2 at Chelsea. But he has now made a return to action with Brazil.
“He is available,” Arteta said, via quotes by football.london. “He played 96 mins in a really competitive match. He had a long flight. I have to see the condition.”
Jesus has only scored once through seven top-flight appearances so far this season after he missed the start of the term with a knee injury. But he could lead Arteta’s attack at the Bees after starting Brazil’s 1-0 defeat to Argentina in a 2026 World Cup qualifier for his 64th cap.
Expected return: Brentford (November 25)
Ben White injury latest
Arsenal manager Arteta is hopeful that Ben White can return to action at Brentford after his knee injury. The 26-year-old was a surprise absentee for the Gunners’ 3-1 win over Burnley before the international break. White had been managing his issue for two weeks prior, too.
“Hopefully, if he’s able to train today he’ll be in contention,” Arteta said, also via the quotes by football.london, during his Friday press conference. “We’ll find out in the next 24 hours.”
Expected return: Brentford (November 25)
Emile Smith Rowe injury latest
Arsenal do not expect to welcome Emile Smith Rowe back from his knee injury until at some point in December. That is according to football.london, which reports that the Hale Ender is still looking to rebuild his fitness. The 23-year-old suffered his issue against Sheffield United.
Expected return: December
Thomas Partey injury latest
Saturday’s match at Brentford marks the latest Arsenal game that Thomas Partey has missed due to his injury woes. The 30-year-old will not play again this year after undergoing a small procedure on a thigh injury earlier this month. He sustained the injury in training in October.
Partey had already missed games with a groin injury this season after suffering a blow back in August against Fulham. He returned to play just 15 minutes of Premier League action for the Gunners. Now, AFCON duty may even keep the Ghanaian from a key role until February.
Expected return: Crystal Palace (January 20)
Jurrien Timber injury latest
According to Ben Jacobs, Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has now suffered a setback in his recovery from an ACL injury. The 22-year-old required surgery in August after sustaining the blow on his Premier League debut. Now, he is unlikely to return to action until next summer.
Expected return: Next season
David Raya is ineligible to play for Arsenal at Brentford
Arteta has also confirmed that Aaron Ramsdale will start his first Premier League game since September when Arsenal play Brentford. The coach cannot call on his now-established No1, Raya, owing to the Spaniard being ineligible to play against his parent team in the top-flight.
Arsenal only signed Raya on a season-long loan from Brentford this August with an option to buy him next summer. But Fabrizio Romano now notes that Arsenal have already decided to activate the £27m clause. Raya also agreed to a long-term contract when he signed on loan.
Expected return: Wolves (December 2)
Fabio Vieira is suspended for Brentford vs Arsenal
Arsenal will be without Fabio Vieira at Brentford as the 23-year-old serves the first game of his red card suspension. Referee Michael Oliver sent the Portugal midfielder off in the 83rd minute of the Gunners’ 3-1 win at home to Burnley for a high-footed foul on Josh Brownhill.
Vieira will miss Arsenal’s Premier League fixtures against Brentford, Wolves and Luton Town as he serves a three-game suspension. But the red card would have also frustrated Arteta as his foul on Burnley star Brownhill was for a somewhat naïve tackle in the centre of the pitch.
Expected return: Aston Villa vs Arsenal (December 9)
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