Arsenal injury news for Sheffield United amid Zinchenko and Partey double boost with ODEGAARD

Mikel Arteta is very close to having his entire Arsenal squad free from injury which could prove crucial in the Premier League title race. Gabriel Jesus returned to the matchday squad for the 4-1 victory over Newcastle although he was an unused substitute, similarly to Fabio Vieira who was back after a three-month absence for the Champions League clash against Porto earlier in the week.

The Gunners have been hit by numerous injuries in the 2023/24 campaign with Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka among the important players to miss action, however the trio have all now returned. The bulk of injury issues have come in defence with Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey, who began the season at right-back, as long-term absentees.

Timber picked up his knee injury during his Premier League debut back in August, while Partey has seen the last six months plagued by three separate issues and he is yet to return from his latest, however Arteta revealed recently he is very close. "Let’s see," Arteta admitted when asked about a return for Partey against Newcastle.

"We have another session today [Friday]. He’s been out for many, many months now. We need to really nail the timing of when he has enough in the tank to compete. But I think he’s very close." The clash against the Magpies came too soon for Partey however, with the midfielder left out of Arteta's squad.

Jesus though, was ready to be included again, but both Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu remained out with Jakub Kiwior continuing at left-back. However, a return against Sheffield United for two-thirds of that trio could be on the cards.

football.london understands that Zinchenko and Partey are not far behind Jesus in terms of recovery. The duo will be assessed upon their return to London Colney on Tuesday with that continuing until Sunday, the day before the trip to Bramall Lane.

Zinchenko and Partey both returning on Monday evening against Sheffield United would leave Timber and Tomiyasu as the only players missing through injury. The Japan international is dealing with a calf issue picked up while at the Asia Cup, although it is not thought to be serious.

As for Timber, Arteta offered an extremely positive update on his rehabilitation by revealing a training return is in the works. "I really hope [he plays again this season.] He’s doing really well," Arteta said last Friday. "He’s been with some players on the pitch. He’s going to start to do some bits with us on the pitch in the next week or so. Then we’ll have to see how he’s doing, his confidence level, his fitness level. Hopefully the answer will be yes."