Mari and Martinelli updates: Latest Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Aston Villa
A round-up of the latest Arsenal injury news ahead of the Gunners' Premier League fixture with Aston Villa on Sunday
JoriPress
Arsenal kept up their impressive form last night with a convincing victory in the Europa League at home to Norwegian side Molde.
Nicolas Pepe and Joe Willock both got on the score sheet in the final 25 minutes as Mikel Arteta's side earned a 4-1 victory, with their opening two goals both coming via own goals.
The Gunners' hectic schedule means that they now must turn their attentions on to facing Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday, where a win would put them above Dean Smith's side in the table and give them a chance of breaking into the top four.
Arsenal's large squad has given Arteta a selection dilemma at times this season. However, he does still have a few players out injured.
Here is the latest news on the Gunners' sidelined players and when they can expect to return to fitness.
Centre-back Mari has returned to light training after suffering ankle ligament damage the June.
The Spaniard is continuing outside running and undergoing a strengthening programme as he makes a return to full fitness.
Mari has also been doing some light ball work as part of his recovery.
Arsenal have confirmed that he is aiming to be back in full training after this month's international break.
Calum Chambers
Callum Chambers has been sidelined for almost a year since suffering a serious knee injury during the 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
He had been expected to return to action towards the end of the calendar year but that could now be sooner.
Arsenal say Chambers is progressing well in his recovery and is now now "back in full training and progressing well towards full match fitness." It is suggested that he could make a return to action at the start of December.
Gabriel Martinelli
Arsenal have received a huge fitness boost with Gabriel Martinelli making progress on his return.
The Brazilian was initially ruled out until the end of 2020 with a serious knee injury. However, the forward has already made a return to light training.
The latest update from the Gunners is that he has started running outside, as well as carrying out a daily strengthening and recovery programme at London Colney.
“I’m feeling very well, I’m regaining confidence and I can feel my knee is better,” he previously told the Arsenal website.
“After an injury like this you are kind of scared to force the knee again but the past couple of weeks it has been fine and soon I can start training with the ball."
