Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko was not in the matchday squad for the 2-1 defeat to Fulham at the weekend.
Manager Mikel Arteta has since confirmed that the Ukrainian international has picked up a calf injury and he will undergo a scan to determine how long he will be out for.
There is some hope that Zinchenko won’t be sidelined for an extended period but the scan results will provide a more reliable estimate on when the defender could return to action.
Estimated Return Date – 7th Jan v Liverpool (FA Cup)
Thomas Partey has not been included in Ghana’s squad for the African Cup of Nations later this month. Manager Chris Hughton has spoken out on the midfielder’s fitness situation, stating he is not likely to be ready to play for his country:
“From all the information we’ve been given, the timelines of his recovery and the caution that will be taken, [his recovery] will not meet our timelines for the AFCON.”
Partey has been out since October, having undergone an operation to fix a thigh injury.
Estimated Return Date – 20th Jan v Crystal Palace
Fabio Vieira underwent surgery on a groin problem back in November and it was estimated that the Portuguese international would be out for at least a couple of months.
Arteta has said that there is no chance of the midfielder making his comeback before the winter break at the end of January.
Estimated Return Date – 30th Jan v Nottingham Forest
Jurrien Timber has been making rapid progress in his recovery from an ACL injury he sustained on the opening day of the Premier League season.
However, it has to be pointed out that it can take 9 to 12 months to get back to full fitness from such a serious injury so it is still touch and go whether he will return before the summer.
