Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus is unlikely to start the North London derby this weekend, according to journalist Charles Watts.

There was hope that the Brazilian could make his comeback from injury against Spurs but, while Watts believes there is “a chance” the forward will feature, he would be very surprised if he is named in the first eleven:

“I was talking to someone earlier this week and all I got was that he wasn’t at that stage ruled out of this weekend. So I think that there’s definitely a hope that he could be back in some way.”

“I would be stunned if he just comes straight in and starts the game. You know I don’t know how much he’s been training if indeed he’s even started training yet. But, all I was told was that there was a chance, that they were working towards the possibility of him being involved this weekend.”

Jesus has been sidelined for the best part of a month

The 27-year-old last made an appearance for the Gunners as a substitute in the 2-0 win over Wolves on the opening day.

Jesus played the last five minutes of that match on August 17th but he hasn’t been seen in action since then as he recovers from a groin injury.

Arsenal will be without at least 5 other players against Tottenham

Captain Martin Odegaard has had a scan on his ankle but the results were inconclusive. There was still too much swelling to give a full diagnosis but the initial assessment suggests he will be out for at least three weeks.

Kieran Tierney (hamstring), Mikel Merino (shoulder), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Declan Rice (suspension) are also unavailable.

There are doubts about Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness, after he was substituted in Italy’s win over France last week, but there is a feeling that the defender should be back in contention for the Spurs clash.