Arsenal are gearing up for the North London Derby this weekend, with the Gunners traveling to Tottenham for a highly-anticipated showdown on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta's side enter this tie in tremendous form as they currently sit top of the table with a five-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City. Spurs, on the other hand, are 11 points behind in fifth despite having played a game extra.
However, this does not mean all is well at Arsenal. The league leaders are without star striker Gabriel Jesus, who remains sidelined after picking up a serious knee injury at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
While the Brazilian is not the Gunners' top scorer this season and had gone through an eye-catching goalscoring drought before his injury, the former Manchester City ace was an influential figure in their blistering start to the season.
And while he is destined to miss this derby, as well as the upcoming showdowns with Pep Guardiola's side and Manchester United, Arteta was asked for an update regarding the attacker during his pre-match press conference.
The player has been documenting his progress on social media, showing to the fans that he no longer needs crutches. However, Mikel stressed that while he is progressing well, the 25-year-old is still a long way from returning to the pitch.
"He's progressing really well," the Emirates Stadium tactician said.
"The update is that he is progressing really well. He's in the right place in regards to his recovery for the time we set for him but it's still a bit far."
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) January 13, 2023
Mikel Arteta on the recovery of Gabriel Jesus. pic.twitter.com/bp3QUr1RsG
"He's working really hard, he's in the right place in terms of the time that we set for him, but he's still a bit far."
Jesus underwent surgery back in December, with many speculating a three-month layoff at best. However, Arsenal never put any timeframe on the striker's recovery, which means his return date remains unclear.
In the meanwhile, the only out-and-out no.9 in the senior squad is Eddie Nketiah. Both Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe, who returned from injury in the 3-0 FA Cup win over Oxford United, can deputize but neither has played in that role for a substantial number of games under Arteta.
It should be noted, though, that the Gunners are closing in on a deal for Shakhtar sensation Mykhaylo Mudryk. As per Fabrizio Romano, Edu and Co. made a third bid worth €70M upfront plus an additional €20/25M in add-ons, and while the 22-year-old is a left-sided winger, he would add a boast to the Premier League giants' firepower.
