Arsenal receive fantastic injury news ahead of Tottenham derby

Arsenal fans have reason to celebrate as the Gunners receive a major boost ahead of their highly anticipated North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. According to recent reports from GiveMeSport, Gabriel Jesus is set to return just in time for the clash, offering a glimmer of hope amid a challenging injury crisis.

Arsenal's injury woes have been a significant concern, especially as the derby approaches. The latest setback came with captain Martin Odegaard suffering an ankle injury while on international duty.

Odegaard's absence is expected to last around three weeks, leaving a void in the midfield that will be hard to fill. Additionally, Declan Rice will miss the match following his red card in the 1-1 draw against Brighton, further depleting Arsenal's squad.

Despite these setbacks, the news surrounding Jesus is a welcome development. The Brazilian forward, who has been a key player for Arsenal, has passed his fitness test and is now in contention to start against Tottenham. His return could be pivotal for Mikel Arteta's side as they look to secure a crucial victory in the derby.

Arsenal receive fantastic injury news ahead of Tottenham derby

Furthermore, defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has made ‘excellent progress’ in his recovery and may also feature in the upcoming match. His presence would provide additional depth to the defensive line, which has been under pressure due to injuries.

However, not all news is positive for Arsenal. Riccardo Calafiori, who picked up an injury during the international break, remains a doubt for the match. Mikel Merino is also sidelined, leaving Arteta with limited options.

With Jesus potentially leading the attack, Arteta is likely to shift Kai Havertz into a more central role alongside Thomas Partey and Jorginho. This midfield setup could be crucial as Arsenal aim to control the game and dominate possession.

On the other hand, Tottenham will be eager to exploit Arsenal's weakened midfield. If Yves Bissouma is fit, he, along with Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison, could pose a significant challenge to Arsenal's new midfield configuration.