Arsenal issue huge Granit Xhaka injury update

Arsenal have had an indifferent season with four standout games that would be best left forgotten about, with the other eight going down as some of the more reassuring under Mikel Arteta, and some of the more lucky.

One of the positive aspects of this season is that Arsenal have been remarkably well treated on the injury front. Having a near full squad to choose from each week, especially without European football, has been a massive help to the manager.

It rarely ever happens, with this season, so far, being a rarity.

Never is everything perfect though, and the absence of Granit Xhaka with a nasty knee injury on his first game back from suspension was a huge blow to Arsenal who were already light in central midfield.

Arsenal issue huge Granit Xhaka injury update with Swiss midfielder aiming to return in the Premier League before 2022

A nasty collision with Lucas Moura in the North London Derby saw him ruled out until 2022, a date that was reaffirmed by the club in their latest injury updates. However, speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta revealed a sooner date could be on the cards with Xhaka.

"“Hopefully he will be back a little bit sooner than expected”, the Spaniard said. “He’s in a good place, we’ll have to see.“I hope so [that we will see him this year].”"

Speaking to Blick in the build up to the Newcastle encounter, Xhaka issued his own update and insisted he was hoping to be back within ‘3 or 4 weeks’.

"“I hope to celebrate my comeback as soon as possible,” he said. “I’ve been gone seven weeks and a few days now.“The bone was also broken twice. The problem with the bone is that it takes so long. I hope to be back in the next three or four weeks. ”"

Likely referring to when he can be back in some form of training, it’s nevertheless a hugely encouraging spell for the Swiss who always insisted he would be back sooner than his initial diagnosis stated.

Sambi Lokonga has looked excellent in midfield up until his recent eight-minute horror show away at Liverpool, but with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny jetting off for AFCON, if Xhaka can be back in time to play, not just train, in January it will be a major boost to the squad an ultimately Arsenal’s season.

Arteta revealed there were no fresh injuries ahead of the Newcastle clash on Saturday.