Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Man City clash

Arsenal face Manchester City this afternoon at Wembley in the FA Community Shield.

Mikel Arteta will be hoping to avenge last season’s Premier League title race – with Pep Guardiola’s side pipping the north Londoners to the title by five points. But the Spaniard will be without starting frontman Gabriel Jesus, who underwent a minor procedure on a knee injury earlier this week

Folarin Balogun (foot) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (calf) remain doubts for the match so football.london takes a look at all the injury news facing the Gunners ahead of their highly-anticipated clash.

Gabriel Jesus

Injury: Knee

What Arteta has said: “Unfortunately, he had a little procedure this morning,” Arteta said after the Emirates Cup win against Monaco. “He had some discomfort in his knee that has been causing some issues and they had to go in and resolve it.

“It is not something major but he looks to be out for a few weeks I think. It is a big blow because we had him back to his best, especially the way he played against Barcelona, and he was in good condition and we lost him.

“But he has been feeling some discomfort in the last few weeks and we had to look at it, we had to make a decision and the best one is to protect the player and get him back as quick as possible so we decided to do it. It is something related to the previous injury that he had and the surgery.

“He had some irritation in the knee and we had to get it resolved,” he added. Ahead of the City game, Arteta offered a fresh update on the Brazilian.

“He’s fine. He’s obviously disappointed because he was feeling good and then this issue came up that nobody expected.

“We had to do a little procedure there but unfortunately it was the best thing to do and the quicker the better. We made that decision. I’m sure he will be back soon and very fit.”

Expected return date: Unknown

Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka missed the Emirates Cup clash against Monaco as he felt unwell. Arteta offered an update on the England international ahead of the City game.

Injury: Illness

What Arteta has said: “Yeah, Bukayo is much better, he trained today. I don’t expect anybody else to not play.”

Expected return date: Man City (N) – Sunday, August 6

Folarin Balogun

Folarin Balogun was absent from the squad earlier this week due to a foot injury. The USMNT international is facing an uncertain future at the Emirates Stadium, but is expected to be available for the clash against City.

Injury: Foot

Expected return date: Man City (N) – Sunday, August 6

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Oleksandr Zinchenko picked up a calf problem but is expected to return to the squad to face his former side at Wembley. It’s unclear whether he will be risked with the Premier League set to begin next week.

The Ukraine international was pictured in training on Friday and he then played 11 minutes during Saturday’s Game4Ukraine charity match, showing that he is nearing full fitness at the perfect time.

Injury: Calf

Expected return date: Man City (N) – Sunday, August 6

Reiss Nelson

Reiss Nelson also hasn’t featured since a foot laceration meant he was forced to leave the tour of USA early.

Injury: Foot

Expected return date: Unknown

Mohammed Elneny

Mohamed Elneny will definitely miss City as he continues his recovery from a knee operation.

Injury: Knee

Expected return date: Unknown

Recovering at London Colney: Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nicolas Pepe, Cedric Soares, Nuno Tavares