Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed that Emile Smith Rowe should be in contention to face Aston Villa on Saturday, but Thomas Partey is a doubt with muscular discomfort.
Smith Rowe has made a mere six appearances in an injury-hit 2022-23 season, having initially been forced to undergo surgery on a groin problem back in September.
The 22-year-old made his return against Oxford United in the FA Cup last month, but he has since missed Arsenal's last four games with a fresh thigh injury.
However, Arteta revealed at his pre-game press conference that Smith Rowe was closing in on a return to action, saying: "Emile is training today and if he's fine, he'll be in the squad."
While Smith Rowe's return would be a boost to Arsenal's attacking ranks, Arteta is working with severely restricted midfield options following an injury to key lynchpin Partey.
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The Ghana international picked up a last-minute muscular problem prior to Wednesday's defeat to Manchester City, and he was left out in what was described as a precautionary measure.
Partey's absence left Granit Xhaka and Jorginho as Arsenal's only two senior midfield options, and Arteta is still unsure whether the 29-year-old will be given the green light to play at Villa Park.
"We have to assess him again today. He has some muscle discomfort and we have to see how he is," Arteta added on Partey, who is joined in the infirmary by Gabriel Jesus and Mohamed Elneny.
With Partey watching on from the medical room on Wednesday, Jorginho came in for his first start since his deadline-day arrival from Chelsea, and he was a standout performer for the Gunners on the night.
The Italian's composure and defensive contributions in the middle of the park earned him plenty of plaudits, and he will be in line for a second successive start at Villa Park should Partey miss out again.
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Arteta also waxed lyrical about Jorginho while facing the media, saying: "He's really good - he's come into the team and earned the respect of everybody. You see his leadership, his understanding of the game, how he's coaching everybody. I think he had a really good game."
With Arsenal kicking off at lunchtime on Saturday, Arteta's men are working with fewer than 72 hours' worth of rest since losing to Man City, leading to questions surrounding alterations to the Spaniard's starting XI.
Arteta has tended to stick with a select group of tried-and-tested players from the first whistle, but he is not averse to bringing in the likes of Leandro Trossard from the start as the Gunners aim to end their four-game winless run.
"It's very difficult to play tomorrow [but] we will have full energy. It's not a worry - I want the players to be in the best possible mindset and physically ready to get that challenge going," Arteta added.
"Every week, we consider the best possible option for players and where they are in terms of performance, mentally and physically and for sure tomorrow we'll do it again. We knew that we would be playing within that timeframe, and that's not an excuse."
Arsenal were knocked down to second spot by Man City on Wednesday night, but they only need a point at Villa Park to return to the top of the Premier League table before the champions face Nottingham Forest later on Saturday.
Ben Knapton
