Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said that “a few” players were not able to train on Thursday ahead of the London derby against West Ham.

When asked whether he could provide an update on his team’s injury situation in his pre-match press conference, Arteta said:

“Not a lot [to say] because we have another training session [on Friday]. We have to see how the boys are. A few weren’t able to train [yesterday].”

Gabriel picked up an injury in the closing minutes of the 5-1 win over Sporting Lisbon earlier this week and pressed on the Brazilian’s fitness, Arteta simply replied:

“Wait and see.”

Gabriel is a doubt to face West Ham

While Arteta tried not to say too much in his press conference, the fact that “a few” players missed training does give the game away somewhat.

Ben White is out for several weeks after undergoing knee surgery earlier this month, while Takehiro Tomiyasu remains on the treatment table with his own knee issue.

If three players are not able to train, it would suggest that the third is Gabriel, unless another player has had fitness problems since the Sporting fixture.

How are Arsenal’s opponents shaping up?

West Ham could be without three players for this weekend’s fixture at the London Stadium. Mohammed Kudus is serving the last game of his five-match suspension following his red card against Tottenham.

Summer signing Niclas Fullkrug is struggling to overcome an Achilles tendon injury and he is not expected to face the Gunners. Jean-Clair Todibo is also a major doubt, after being forced off in the second half of the 2-0 win over Newcastle on Monday evening.

Edson Alvarez is, though, back available, having served his two-match ban for his sending-off versus Nottingham Forest.

Find out who is in Arsenal’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here