A third successive win across all competitions is the goal for Arsenal when they resume Premier League duties away to London rivals Brentford on Saturday evening.
Mikel Arteta's men claimed back-to-back triumphs over Sevilla and Burnley prior to the final international break of 2023, overcoming the latter 3-1 courtesy of Leandro Trossard, William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko's strikes.
With 27 points from 12 games in the top flight, Arsenal sit third in the table heading into the weekend's fixtures and could potentially rise to the summit with a win if Manchester City and Liverpool play out a draw in the lunchtime kickoff.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Arsenal's injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with the Bees, who are 11th in the standings owing to their 3-0 loss to Liverpool last time out.
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Head
Possible return date: November 25 (vs. Brentford)
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was originally believed to have sat out a number of fixtures due to a hip injury, but it has since emerged that the Norwegian has been sidelined due to concussion protocol after taking a ball to the head during training. Odegaard was unable to represent his country this month, but there is hope that he will make his comeback at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
In contrast, Emile Smith Rowe is still working his way back from a knee injury sustained prior to Arsenal's fourth-round EFL Cup loss to West Ham United, and there is no timeframe on the Englishman's recovery.
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
Jurrien Timber is nursing a knee injury of his own, albeit a far more severe one, and the Dutchman is facing a race against time to return to action before the campaign draws to a close.
Status: Out
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: December 28 (vs. West Ham United)
Arteta affirmed earlier this month that Thomas Partey was making excellent progress in his recuperation from thigh surgery, but there is only thought to be a slim chance of the Ghana international returning before the end of the calendar year.
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Unspecified
Possible return date: November 25 (vs. Brentford)
Ben White was a notable absentee from the win over Burnley two weeks ago, having sustained some unspecified problems during the Champions League success over Sevilla, but the right-back has had ample time to recover and should be in contention to play this weekend.
Status: Minor doubt
Type of injury: Illness
Possible return date: November 25 (vs. Brentford)
White's fellow full-back Cedric Soares was also unable to face the Clarets due to illness, but the Portuguese defender - who is only a fringe player for Arteta these days anyway - is expected to be available for selection on Saturday.
Status: Out
Type of injury: Ineligible
Possible return date: November 29 (vs. Lens)
First-choice goalkeeper David Raya will be forced to sit Saturday's game out as he is unable to face his parent club, meaning that Aaron Ramsdale can look forward to an increasingly rare Premier League start in goal.
ARSENAL'S SUSPENSION LIST
Return date: November 29 (vs. Lens)
Fabio Vieira was given a straight red card for a horror tackle on Josh Brownhill in the 3-1 win over Burnley, and the playmaker will begin a three-match domestic suspension on Saturday. body check tags ::
