The two-week international break is over and that means the return of Premier League action this weekend, with Arsenal making the trip up north to face Liverpool at Anfield.
Mikel Arteta will want to have as many of his players fit and available as possible for this clash, with plenty to play for, especially against a Liverpool side who have injury problems of their own.
The Gunners can leapfrog their hosts on Saturday evening with all three points and move up to 4th in the league, all while extending their incredible unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 games.
Arteta currently has five of his players struggling with various injuries, so here is all you need to know about the current state of play in north London and the expected return dates.
Do Arsenal have enough squad depth this season to cope with injuries? Have your say in the comments section.
Thomas Partey
Ghanaian international Thomas Partey has been the second injury absentee over the past few weeks after picking up a groin injury, missing Arsenal’s 1-0 victory against Watford before the international break.
This resulted in Partey also pulling out of the Ghana squad for the past fortnight.
However, the midfielder has made a full recovery and it was revealed by the club that he will be available for selection for this weekend’s trip to Anfield, providing Arteta with a big injury boost.
Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka remains Arteta’s only long-term injury absentee as he continues to recover from the knee injury he picked up in September’s 3-1 victory over north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium, which ruled him out for three months.
Xhaka is expected to return to full training in January, so it is also hoped that he could feature at some point during that same month.
An injury update was provided by the club this week, which said: "Granit is now running outside with the current aim to be back in full training in January."
The Switzerland international captain has been doing rehabilitation work at Arsenal’s training centre but is now stepping up his progress by beginning ball work in Dubai.
Folarin Balogun
Balogun was the first of three Arsenal players to join the list of sidelined players during the international break, yet it wasn't an injury worry as such, unlike the others.
Balogun was withdrawn from England U21s embarrassing 3-2 defeat away to Georgia on Tuesday, yet it was due to stomach cramps.
England U21 manager, Lee Carsley, said: "He had stomach cramps, so he was struggling in the first half with that and we took him off. He's not injured."
This means that Balogun should be fit and available for this weekend if he's called upon by Arteta.
How should Arsenal line up against Liverpool on Saturday? Have your say below.
Sead Kolasinac
The second casualty of the international break for the Gunners involved left back Sead Kolasinac, who was on the end of a horrendous challenge - which resulted in a red card - whilst in action for Bosnia-Herzegovina in their match against Finland last Saturday.
Kolasinac limped off the pitch with the help of two medical staff and it has been revealed that he has suffered a significant injury to his ankle, and could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The defender is back from international duty and has already begun rehabilitation work and will continue to be assessed, although it is unknown as to when he will return to action.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal’s fifth injury concern involved club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after he injured himself whilst on international duty with Gabon last week.
The striker played in his country’s 1-0 victory against Libya last Friday, scoring the only goal of the game, but was stretchered off the pitch following the final whistle after going down and holding his calf.
However, since making an early return back to north London following the incident, Aubameyang has been declared fit by the club’s medical staff and is available for Saturday’s crunch match against Liverpool, providing Arteta with potentially the biggest injury boost of all.
