Arsenal host arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Sunday’s Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners are four points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the league table, and will be eyeing a victory over Thomas Frank’s side this weekend.
Ahead of the derby, Riccardo Calafiori has been deemed fit to play. The 23-year-old returned early from international duty last week with a minor hip issue.
He is expected to recover in time for the north London derby.
However, the game may come too soon for striker Viktor Gyokeres, who sustained a muscle injury during the 2-0 win against Burnley on November 1.
HandofArsenal, who broke the exclusive story on Cristhian Mosquera last summer, has revealed that the Swede remains a doubt for the weekend clash.
The Arsenal insider wrote on X: “Viktor Gyökeres remains a doubt for the weekend.”
Gyokeres had one of his best performances in an Arsenal shirt against the Clarets at Turf Moor.
The £66 million-rated star opened the scoring with a fine tap-in before delivering a brilliant long ball for Leandro Trossard, who provided the cross for Declan Rice’s headed goal.
Gyokeres was unfortunately substituted at the break with a muscle injury. He was anticipated to return against Spurs, but it appears that could be delayed.
If that turns out to be the case, Mikel Merino looks poised to lead the line once more.
The Spain international has been impressive as a makeshift striker for Arsenal, chipping in with nine goals and three assists from 18 appearances this year.
Merino does not possess the same physical strength and hold-up play as Gyokeres, but he has excelled with his positioning and aerial prowess in the box.
Manager Mikel Arteta is expected to provide an update in his pre-match presser on Friday, where we could get a hint on which injured player could return.
Alongside Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Magalhaes are on the sidelines as of now.
Magalhaes may not return until the New Year. He recently suffered a thigh injury on Brazil duty, which could keep him out of action for potentially two months.
Kai Havertz’s comeback could be delayed until late December after Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann confirmed a ‘minor relapse’ in his recovery from a knee injury.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com