Arsenal injury update: Oleksandr Zinchenko, Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber latest news and return dates
Arsenal have been hit by a fresh injury blow to Oleksandr Zinchenko as the Gunners enter 2024.
A miserable festive period was compounded on New Year's Eve with the news that the Ukrainian had suffered a calf injury, which could sideline the defender for weeks.
But Thomas Partey is nearing a return, and will now not be heading to the Africa Cup of Nations after being left out of the final Ghana squad.
Here is your latest update of Arsenal injury news and return dates...
Oleksandr Zinchenko
Oleksandr Zinchenko has handed Mikel Arteta a fresh injury concern as the defender will undergo a scan on his calf.
The 27-year-old was a surprise absentee for the 2-1 defeat at Fulham with a "slight calf issue", with Jakub Kiwior deputising before being hauled off at half-time.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Arteta said: "We don’t know. He felt something in his calf. We will scan him tomorrow and see how far he’s going to miss games."
Potential return date: Unknown
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey is aiming to be available for the FA Cup third round clash with Liverpool after being left out of Ghana's Africa Cup of Nations squad.
Partey has been absent since October due to a thigh injury and has recently returned to training.
The midfielder was named in Ghana’s provisional 55-man squad for AFCON but has since been cut by manager Chris Hughton.
Potential return date: January 2024
Fabio Vieira
The midfielder has been sidelined for a number of weeks with a groin injury and is not expected back until the latter end of January.
Arteta said in November: "He’s been having some discomfort. We sent him to see a specialist and the advice was to have an operation in his groin."
Potential return date: January/February 2024
Jurrien Timber
A serious knee injury is set to keep Timber out until potentially next season, but Arteta has praised his work ethic on the comeback trail.
Arteta said last month: "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."
Then, when quizzed on how fast Timber is recovering, the Spaniard added: "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."
Potential return date: Spring/summer 2024