Following the draw against Liverpool, Arsenal and their head coach Mikel Arteta have been given a substantial boost ahead of their upcoming encounter with West Ham.
Despite facing a challenging test at Anfield, the Gunners managed to maintain their Premier League lead with a hard-fought 1-1 draw. As they prepare to face West Ham at the Emirates Stadium post-Christmas, Kai Havertz will be absent after receiving his fifth booking of the season during the Liverpool match. However, there’s optimistic news as both Jorginho and Mohamed Elneny are set to make their return to the team, having been included in the matchday squad against Liverpool.
Thomas Partey, though, continues his recovery process and is not expected to feature until January. Here’s an update on Arsenal’s injury news as they gear up to face West Ham:
Jorginho:
Jorginho was absent from the recent matchday squad due to a foot injury, but his progress has been encouraging. He appears likely to contend for a place in the upcoming fixture against West Ham, having returned to the bench for the away clash against Liverpool.
Injury: Foot
Expected return date: Returned
Arteta’s update: “Jorginho is still a doubt. He’s racing.”
Mohamed Elneny:
Elneny made a brief return in the Champions League against PSV only to suffer a suspected hamstring issue. However, he reappeared in the matchday squad against Liverpool, indicating his imminent availability.
Injury: Hamstring
Expected return date: Returned
Arteta’s update: “Mo Elneny hopefully will train with us today and we’ll see how he feels about it. The rest is no news.”
Thomas Partey:
The midfielder underwent a ‘procedure’, sidelining him for the remainder of the year. Although he continues his rehabilitation, it remains unclear if he’ll be fit to face Liverpool in the FA Cup third-round clash at the beginning of 2024. Arsenal remains hopeful for Partey’s return for the FA Cup encounter against Liverpool before he heads to AFCON.
Injury: Thigh
Expected return date: Liverpool (H) – January 7
Arteta’s update: “He’s still finalizing his rehab. He hasn’t trained with the team yet.”
Takehiro Tomiyasu:
Tomiyasu sustained a calf injury during Arsenal’s match against Wolves and is anticipated to be out of action until the new year. The club is hopeful for Tomiyasu’s return for the FA Cup match against Liverpool before he departs for the Asia Cup with Japan.
Injury: Calf
Expected return date: January
Arteta’s update: “We had a scan and it’s not good news. He’s got an injury in his calf and he’s going to be out for a while I think.”
Fabio Vieira:
Vieira has been wrestling with a groin issue and underwent surgery as a result. His recovery is projected to extend into mid to late January 2024, indicating an extended period of absence from action.
Injury: Groin
Expected return date: Mid to late January 2024
Arteta’s update: “Yeah, we’ve got a problem with him. He’s been having some discomfort. We sent him to see a specialist and the advice was to have an operation in his groin. He did that yesterday. We don’t expect him back this side of the winter break.”
