Facing the friendliest Premier League fixture they could possibly face, Arsenal welcome two-point Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Emirates on Saturday evening.
The Gunners’ lead at the summit was coincidentally reduced to just two points last weekend, courtesy of a gut-wrenching 2-1 loss to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa at Villa Park.
However, Mikel Arteta’s men remain flawless in Europe after securing a 3-0 Champions League win over Club Brugge on Wednesday evening, thanks to Noni Madueke’s double and a Gabriel Martinelli strike.
Gabriel Jesus made his long-awaited return from an ACL injury in that game, but Arteta still has many concerns to manage, and here Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal’s latest injury and suspension news.
Jurrien Timber
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Knock
Possible return date: December 13 (vs. Wolves)
Jurrien Timber was not involved in Wednesday’s win over Club Brugge due to a knock he sustained at Villa Park, but the Dutchman should shake off the issue in time for Wolves.
Max Dowman
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: Unknown
Jesus was promoted to Arsenal’s UCL squad thanks to an injury to Max Dowman, who will be missing for “weeks” with the ankle issue he sustained in a recent Under-21s friendly.
Declan Rice
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Illness
Possible return date: December 13 (vs. Wolves)
Declan Rice was left out of the squad to face Club Brugge as a result of an illness, but the England international will likely have fought off the infection by the time Saturday rolls around.
Leandro Trossard
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knock
Possible return date: December 20 (vs. Everton)
After only just making his return from one muscular problem, Leandro Trossard suffered a knock to the same area at Villa Park, and the visit of Wolves is expected to come too soon for the Belgian.
Cristhian Mosquera
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: January 17 (vs. Nottingham Forest)
Cristhian Mosquera hurt his ankle in this month’s home win over Brentford, and reports have claimed that the Spanish defender will be out of action for at least six and potentially up to eight weeks.
William Saliba
Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Knock
Possible return date: December 13 (vs. Wolves)
William Saliba has missed Arsenal’s last four games with the mysterious knock he suffered in training, and it would be a surprise to see the France international considered for selection this weekend.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Status: Out
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: December 27 (vs. Brighton & Hove Albion)
Saliba’s chief centre-back partner Gabriel Magalhaes is on his way back from a thigh injury sustained over the November international break, but a return before Christmas is incredibly unlikely.