Mikel Arteta reveals Viktor Gyokeres injury latest in four-man Arsenal update

Mikel Arteta has also delivered an update on Gabriel Jesus as he nears a return to first team action

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has delivered an update on Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres ahead of Sunday’s Premier League showdown against Chelsea .

The pair being out injured has forced the Gunners to play without a recognised striker for the four three games.

Mikel Merino has led the line in their absence and performed well, scoring twice at Slavia Prague earlier this month .

Arteta will be keen to get Gyokeres and Havertz, though, as the fixture list is about to get congested over the festive period.

Havertz has been out of action since August after injuring his knee in the first game of the season and undergoing surgery .

Arsenal are next in action on Sunday, when they travel to London rivals Chelsea , and Arteta has given an update on his injured strikers.

Speaking on Friday, the Arsenal boss said: “We have another day tomorrow, so let’s see how everybody has come on.”

Arteta also gave an update on Leandro Trossard , who was forced to come in the first half of Arsenal’s win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday .

“With Leo, there’s another test today,” the Spaniard said. “We have to see how he is feeling. It doesn’t look much.”

Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus has been out for longer than Gyokeres and Havertz, with the Brazilian suffering a serious knee injury in January that required surgery .

Jesus took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Thursday in what Arteta has described as a “positive” session.

“It did happen, Arteta confirmed. “Gabi [Jesus] participated, Ethan [Nwaneri] as well as he wanted some minutes. It was very positive.”