Arsenal injury update: Gyökeres, Trossard & Havertz return dates revealed for Chelsea clash

Arsenal’s 3–1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich delivered much-needed momentum — but it also raised fresh fitness questions ahead of Sunday’s crucial top-of-the-table trip to Chelsea. Martin Ødegaard’s return was a major boost, yet the absences of Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz continued, while Leandro Trossard limped off in the first half to hand Mikel Arteta an untimely headache.

With the Premier League title race tightening, Arsenal need key players back quickly. Here’s the latest on every major injury concern, their expected return dates, and what it means for Arteta’s tactical planning.

Arsenal’s £64m summer signing has missed the last four weeks with a hamstring injury sustained against Burnley on November 1. Gyökeres did not train ahead of the Bayern match, but Arteta insisted on Tuesday that both he and Havertz are “really good” and close to rejoining full sessions.

“In the next few days they’re going to have a repeat scan,” Arteta said. “We’ll see where we can push them for the weekend.”

Gyökeres has been absent during a period where Arsenal have lacked a focal point in several matches, and his return would dramatically alter the attacking balance. Without him, Arsenal rely heavily on wide combinations and midfield runs; with him, they regain a true penalty-box presence.

Potential return date: Sunday, November 30 — vs Chelsea (A)

Trossard, who has been in electric form, scoring against Tottenham last weekend, lasted just 38 minutes against Bayern before being replaced by Noni Madueke. The Belgian headed straight down the tunnel, appearing to clutch his calf.

Arteta remained cautious afterwards:
“With Leo, we don’t know. He said he felt something. We didn’t want to take any risks.”

Trossard’s versatility — able to play left wing, false nine or as an inside forward — makes him one of Arsenal’s most tactically important pieces. Losing him for more than a match or two would be a significant setback, especially given his recent chemistry with Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka.

Potential return date: Unknown

Havertz has not played since the opening weekend after a minor knee procedure. Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann revealed he suffered a “minor relapse” during the international break, though Arteta has moved quickly to calm concerns.

Like Gyökeres, Havertz wasn’t part of Arsenal’s main training group earlier this week — but the club remain hopeful he can feature at Stamford Bridge, potentially from the bench.

If fit, Havertz offers tactical flexibility: he can replace Fabio Vieira as the roaming right-sided midfielder or start in a hybrid role supporting a striker. His physicality is often underestimated, and against Chelsea’s aggressive midfield, his return would be timely.

Potential return date: Sunday, November 30 — vs Chelsea (A)

Brazil centre-back Gabriel suffered an adductor injury during the international break, triggering fears he could miss up to six weeks. Reports suggested a possible absence until January, but Arteta confirmed the defender was due for a scan on Wednesday to assess the damage.

Arteta is expected to give an updated timeline in Friday’s press conference. Losing Gabriel long-term would force a complete reshuffle of Arsenal’s back line, with Jakub Kiwior or Ben White likely required to fill the gap.

Potential return date: Unknown

For the first time in nearly a year, Gabriel Jesus is closing in on a return after rupturing his ACL in January. The Brazilian has trained fully with the squad for almost two weeks and is now expected to play in a behind-closed-doors friendly to rebuild match fitness.

“He is doing everything with the team,” Arteta said. “He looks really good… he is going to be a big addition.”

Jesus returning at even 80–90% of his best form would give Arteta a dramatically different attacking rotation, offering link-play, pressing and creativity that Arsenal have missed.

Potential return date: Early December

From my analysis of Arsenal’s last five matches, one pattern stands out: the attack loses vertical penetration without Gyökeres. Although some fans argue that Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus or Havertz can replicate that role, the nuance is that none carry the same blend of power, movement and finishing threat.

Arsenal’s pressing structure also suffers without a true No.9. Gyökeres triggers the first wave under Arteta — something the team missed significantly against Spurs and Bayern.

Meanwhile, Havertz’s return would allow Arteta to restore the left-sided overload patterns that made Arsenal so effective early last season. Although some critics dismiss Havertz’s output, his off-ball movements remain vital to Arsenal’s best spells of pressure.

In short, Arsenal need both players back — not just individually, but for the synergy they provide collectively.

Arsenal face Chelsea on November 30, a match that could shape the title race before December even begins. Arteta will deliver final updates in his pre-match press conference on Friday — and several late fitness decisions could determine his starting XI.

👉 Which returning player is most important for Arsenal’s title charge — Gyökeres, Havertz or Gabriel Jesus?