Arsenal emerged out of Sunday's North London Derby damaged and bruised as several key players picked up injuries in a game that ended in a frustrating 2-2 goal.
The Gunners had twice gone up and on both occasions, lapses in concentration and sloppy defending saw Tottenham equalize, thus leaving the home side with a mere point.
Even more concerning were the injuries. Leandro Trossard, who performed exceptionally well in the 4-0 win over PSV in the UEFA Champions League, picked up an issue in training and did not feature in this game while Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were forced off the pitch at the end of the first and second halves, respectively.
With Jurrien Timber being a long-term absentee, and Gabriel Martinelli and Thomas Partey recovering from their own issues, Arsenal fans began fearing an injury crisis. Arteta's men host title challengers Manchester City in roughly two weeks but will they be without all these key players?
Fortunately, the Gunners have received a huge boost in this department. Declan Rice suffered a back injury but according to the Athletic, initial tests show that it is nothing serious. Likewise, Trossard's issue is not expected to keep him out for long.
The Belgian picked up a slight muscle issue but could be in contention for next weekend's trip to Bournemouth. Rice, on the other hand, still suffers from discomfort in his back and while a return date remains unclear, the player is said to have avoided a serious injury.
It should be noted that last season, William Saliba suffered a back injury during their UEFA Europa League showdown with Sporting CP in mid-March and was ruled out for the rest of the season, which contributed to their title collapse. Fans will thus be relieved to hear this update on Declan.
Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey, who suffered ACL and groin injuries respectively, are also progressing well. The Ghanaian midfielder could return in time for the clash with Manchester City but due to the player's poor fitness record, the medical team might caution against a speedy return.
Meanwhile, Saka's issue has been described as nothing serious after suffering a knock to his foot. Gabriel Martinelli, on the other hand, could be back in a fortnight from his hamstring problem, according to ESPN.
None of the aforementioned players will participate on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup showdown with Brentford. The North London giants travel to the Gtech Community Stadium in the third round live on ESPN+ and will look to return to winning ways. Click here for global broadcast listings.
