Prior to the match against Crystal Palace, Arsenal’s injury report and anticipated comeback dates

Expected return date: Crystal Palace (H) – Saturday, January 20

What Arteta has said: “He had some pain in his knee, so we did a scan, and it showed something. Hopefully, it is not something big; it’s the same knee that he had [previously injured], so we cannot take any risks

Oleksandr Zinchenko

The full-back was absent from Arsenal’s defeat to Fulham with a calf problem. His injury was described as “slight” but was a huge blow for Arsenal, with Jakub Kiwior forced to deputise at left-back.

Injury: Calf

Expected return date: Crystal Palace (H) – January 20

What Arteta has said: “He’s progressing well. We have another training session tomorrow. We’ll evaluate if he’s available to play and ready to start the game. The rest there is no news.”

Thomas Partey

The Gunners midfielder underwent a ‘procedure’ on his thigh injury in November, football.london understands. Arteta has suggested that Partey is making progress but he was still left out of Ghana’s squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Injury: Thigh

Expected return date: February 2024

What Arteta has said: “‘Hopefully, it’s weeks [until he’s fit again]. How many weeks it will be will depend a little bit on how long the next step of training with the team will take him, but he’s progressing well.”

What Ghana boss Chris Hughton said: “Thomas Partey for sure, and I say this not in a detrimental way to the squad that we have, but he is one of our most important players.

“This we know and, withstanding his injury, he certainly would be in the squad. We know the quality of player that he is. This is a player that has a substantial injury.

“I’ve spent a lot over this period of time with Thomas and also engaging with the medical staff at Arsenal Football Club. They will treat this injury with caution, and so will the player. This is a big injury for him and the biggest injury that he’s had.

“The most important thing for me as head coach and our association is to give him the support that he needs through this period of time. From all the information that we’ve been given, the timelines of his recovery and the caution that will be taken, will not meet our timelines for the AFCON.”

Takehiro Tomiyasu

The defender suffered a calf injury in the win over Wolves in December and was expected to be out until January. Tomiyasu did feature off the bench in the loss to Fulham but has since departed to be part of Japan’s squad for the Asian Cup.

Expected return date: After the Asia Cup

Fabio Vieira

Vieira has returned to full team training and could feature in the matchday squad against Palace this weekend.

Injury: Groin.

Expected return date: Crystal Palace (H) – Saturday, January 20

What Arteta has said: “Yeah we’ve got a problem with him. He’s been having some discomfort. We sent him to see a specialist and the advice was to have an operation in his groin. He did that yesterday. We don’t expect him back this side of the winter break.”

Jurrien Timber

Timber suffered a major injury blow on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest, going down holding his knee. It emerged that Timber’s ACL issue was not as bad as first feared, with his return estimated to be between March and May.

Timber has now returned to individual training on the grass as he steps up his rehabilitation programme.

Injury: ACL

Expected return date: Early 2024

What Arteta has said: “He’s doing really well. He’s going through a really significant injury but he’s flying at the stage that he is right now. The way that he works every day is very satisfying to watch.

“We’re still going to miss him for a long time. The first few steps are crucial for the amount of work they have to do in the knee to get the mobility and the strength back.”