Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says is ‘very’ close to returning to full fitness but the Gunners will be without Gabriel Jesus in the short-term.
Zinchenko missed the Gunners’ opening weekend win against as he continues his recovery from a calf injury that he sustained in May.
The skipper has been a fans’ favourite since joining from last term and, following injury to Jurrien Timber, his role in the side has taken on extra importance.
And the good news is that Arteta says the defender is closing in on a return to action.
‘He’s been training with us and hopefully we are going to have him available very, very soon,’ Arteta told reporters on Thursday morning.
There was less promising news on Jesus, who has been sidelined for the last fortnight after he was forced to undergo a knee operation.
And Arteta admits that the Brazilian is still someway away from returning to first-team action.
‘Gabby [Jesus] is still not available and not fit but the rest are all good,’ said the Spaniard.
, .
,  and .
