Gabriel Jesus is back in light training but Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says it is too early to put a timeline on his first-team return.
“Gabi’s doing really well,” said Arteta. “He’s already been outside a little bit. It’s still early stages and he keeps pushing everybody every single day. We need to respect timelines and processes but he’s doing really well.
“He’s still too far from [a return date]. You see now when you put loads through that knee and get some movement and actions, they’re not as controlled as the ones he has been doing. [You have to see] how the knee reacts.”
Eddie Nketiah has done a fine job of deputising for Jesus, scoring four times in six Premier League League starts since the winter break.
The Brentford game comes too soon for Emile Smith Rowe, who is recovering from a thigh problem. Reiss Nelson also remains sidelined.
“They have started to some activities and have been outside but they are not ready yet to contribute,” said Arteta.
Starting Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Saka, Nketiah, Martinelli.
