Tony Mogan
Published November 21, 2025 2:29pm
Updated November 21, 2025 2:30pm
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Gyokeres has missed Arsenal’s last two games (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta hopes to have Viktor Gyokeres available for Arsenal’s north London derby showdown with Tottenham this weekend.
The Sweden international went off at half-time against Burnley at the start of the month with what was reported to be a hamstring issue.
He missed subsequent games against Slavia Prague and Sunderland and was not involved in Sweden’s World Cup qualifying matches during the international break.
With Kai Havertz suffering a setback in his bid to return from a knee injury, Mikel Merino has once again deputised up top for the Gunners.
Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke have also been injury absentees with Gabriel Jesus working his way back from a long-term layoff.
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Speaking on Friday ahead of the derby, Arteta was giving little away as to whether that injured contingent including Gyokeres will be available but hopes the hard work put in during the international break will pay off.
‘We put a lot of energy in the international break with the medical staff to try to bring them back as quickly as possible,’ Arteta said.
Odegaard also pushing to return (Picture: Getty)
‘Tomorrow we have another training session to see how they are feeling, if this game is too close or they can have a contribution in the game.”
Gabriel Magalhaes injury latest
Gabriel Magalhaes was the biggest casualty of the international break, limping out of Brazil’s victory over Senegal at the Emirates last Saturday.
Gabriel will miss the derby (Picture: Getty Images)
The Brazil international is facing at least a month on the sidelines with a thigh injury, immediately ruling him out of the visit of Thomas Frank’s side and a huge Champions League clash with Bayern Munich midweek.
‘Gabi unfortunately picked up an injury with the Brazilian national team and is going to be out for weeks,’ Arteta said.
‘We need to have another scan, I think it is next Wednesday. We will have a time that is much more clear than at the moment.’
‘It’s clearly a blow., It’s our leader in our backline. To miss him is never a positive thing. The good thing is we have some very good options. They need to stand up now.’
Will Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori be fit for Spurs?
There was also concern for Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber during the international break. Calafiori missed Italy’s games against Moldova and Norway with a hip issue while Timber suffered a cut on his knee following a heavy challenge playing for Netherlands.
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Timber was able to carry on before being replaced midway through the second-half.
Timber was left in some pain midweek (Picture: Getty)
Calafiori however has not trained since returning to the capital and is a doubt for Sunday.
‘Yeah he wasn’t available, he’s been carrying a few things and we had to bring him back,’ Arteta said.
‘He hasn’t trained yet, we have a session tomorrow so we will see.’
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