Latest Arsenal injury news as three miss Lens with Ben White and Martin Odegaard update

Arsenal injury news as Mikel Arteta prepares to try and secure Champions League progression with a squad getting fitter by the week

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League on Saturday and can make it a brilliant return from the international break all round when they take on Lens on Wednesday. A win over the Ligue 1 side would secure not only safe passage into the knockout stages but also top spot in Group B.

The Gunners will also secure their place in the next round with a draw but would leave themselves open to finishing second if PSV were to beat Sevilla and then claim victory in Netherlands against Arteta's men on matchday six. The bulk of the work can be done this week though and would relieve pressure ahead of the start of a busy winter schedule.

In the next three weeks Arsenal have six games to play with no spare midweeks now until after the New Year. For a squad that has been at times stretched and pulled in all directions it is important to get through as many fixtures as possible in good shape, more so now than ever.

On that note it is good news for Arteta heading into the game as Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus returned to the side for the hard-fought win over Brentford on Saturday. The club captain had been missing before the break with a knock and then concussion but got through 90 minutes before being taken off with his side narrowly ahead.

The Norwegian looks set to feature again at the Emirates Stadium and was joined in making a return alongside Jesus. Having been out with yet another muscular injury he was still called up by Fernando Diniz and Brazil for games over the past fortnight and made some surprising appearances for his country.

Jesus returned to England and was passed fit to start by Arteta and his medical team, lasting over an hour before Eddie Nketiah replaced him. Wednesday will be a chance to continue building him back up to full match sharpness, or it could be seen as an opportune moment to rest ahead of Wolves at the weekend.

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Arteta was also able to give minutes to Benjamin White after he had been out with issues before the break as well. He came on as a late substitute in west London and, like Jesus, has the chance to get back to business in mid-week.

There are some longer term issues still to deal with for Arsenal, but luckily nothing fresh. Emile Smith Rowe is still out but football.london understands he could be in with a shot of a return within the next couple of weeks. Thomas Partey is also out with an uncertain timeframe ahead.

Jurrien Timber won't be back until 2024, though reports of an early return are understood to be wide of the mark. The defender's recovery is going well but he won't be seen for a while still.

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