Arsenal will start their Premier League 2023/24 campaign against Nottingham Forest fresh after beating Man City in the FA Community Shield at Wembley Stadium
Mikel Arteta has been handed a double injury boost ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League season opener against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Gunners head into the new campaign fresh off the back of beating Manchester City at Wembley as they lifted the FA Community Shield.
Gabriel Jesus, who underwent a minor procedure on a knee injury last week, is set to miss the start of the new season as he continue his rehabilitation. Oleksandr Zinchenko was another absentee – but the Ukraine international is set to participate in training ahead of the fixture against Forest.
football.london takes a look at all the injury news facing the Gunners ahead the start of their Premier League campaign.
Gabriel Jesus
Injury: Knee
What Arteta has said: “Unfortunately, he had a little procedure this morning,” Arteta said after the Emirates Cup win against Monaco. “He had some discomfort in his knee that has been causing some issues and they had to go in and resolve it.
“It is not something major but he looks to be out for a few weeks I think. It is a big blow because we had him back to his best, especially the way he played against Barcelona, and he was in good condition and we lost him.
“But he has been feeling some discomfort in the last few weeks and we had to look at it, we had to make a decision and the best one is to protect the player and get him back as quick as possible so we decided to do it. It is something related to the previous injury that he had and the surgery.
“He had some irritation in the knee and we had to get it resolved,” he added. Ahead of the City game, Arteta offered a fresh update on the Brazilian.
“He’s fine. He’s obviously disappointed because he was feeling good and then this issue came up that nobody expected.
“We had to do a little procedure there but unfortunately it was the best thing to do and the quicker the better. We made that decision. I’m sure he will be back soon and very fit.”
Expected return date: Unknown
Jorginho
Arsenal confirmed ahead of the win against City that Jorginho was absent from the matchday squad after suffering a slight muscle issue. However, the Italian midfielder was spotted in first team training this week and seems to be fit for selection against Forest this weekend.
Injury: Slight muscular issue
Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (H) – Saturday, August 12
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Oleksandr Zinchenko picked up a calf problem but was pictured in training on Friday and he then played 11 minutes during Saturday’s Game4Ukraine charity match, showing that he is nearing full fitness at the perfect time.
While he was with his teammates as they faced his former side at Wembley, the Ukraine international was not selected in the matchday squad – with Kieran Tierney appearing off the bench.
Injury: Calf
Expected return date: Nottingham Forest (H) – Saturday, August 12
Reiss Nelson
Reiss Nelson also hasn’t featured since a foot laceration meant he was forced to leave the tour of USA early.
Injury: Foot
Expected return date: Unknown
Mohammed Elneny
Mohamed Elneny will definitely miss Forest as he continues his recovery from a knee operation.
Injury: Knee
Expected return date: Unknown
Recovering at London Colney: Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nicolas Pepe, Cedric Soares, Nuno Tavares
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