Arsenal set to receive big North London Derby injury boost

Mikel Arteta is expected to have Gabriel Jesus available for Sunday's North London Derby after the Brazilian missed Arsenal's two previous outings with a groin injury.

We're currently enduring a trademark lull at the start of the new season thanks to the September international break, although the Gunners will soon be back into the swing of things in a big way as they prepare for a trip down Seven Sisters Road.

Tottenham welcome their superior neighbours to their unsponsored home this weekend hoping to avoid their third-straight defeat to Arsenal on home soil. The Gunners have been beaten just twice by Spurs at the Emirates since its 2006 opening, by the way.

It's bound to be an early-season cracker capable of setting a few tones for the long season ahead. Arsenal have started the season well, claiming seven points from three, while Tottenham have failed to make the most of the sterile control they've asserted on their opening encounters; notching just four points.

The hosts are set have Dominic Solanke and Micky van de Ven back in action this weekend, but Arsenal, too, are set to benefit from a returning injured star.

Gabriel Jesus expected to make injury return for North London Derby

Jesus sustained a groin injury ahead of Arsenal's 2-0 victory at Aston Villa on Matchday 2 and subsequently missed the controversial 1-1 draw with Brighton. The Brazilian forward enjoyed a bright pre-season, but injury setbacks have persistently set him back since the 2022 World Cup.

Arteta said ahead of the Brighton draw that Jesus would return "pretty soon" and the signs are pointing towards a comeback for the derby. Arsenal aren't shy of fairly reliable social media 'ITKs' and a sound one in @HandofOzil writes that Jesus will be fit for Sunday's clash.

However, given Kai Havertz's continued good form in a forward position and his performance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium down the stretch last term, Jesus will not be expected to make his first start of the new season. Havertz will surely lead the line once more with the Gunners set to follow the blueprint of their 3-2 triumph in April: set-pieces and counters (with a bit more control in and out of possession.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is also recovering well from his latest injury setback, but we don't yet know when he'll be back in action. Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori are fine after picking up knocks on international duty.

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