Arsenal handed double fitness boost ahead of Brentford game

Arsenal could be boosted with the return of two key players when they face Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday.

Mikel Arteta's side currently have a number of first team stars on the injury table, as the Gunners go into the crunch festive period.

Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus has now returned to full training and could be involved in their World Cup qualifier against Argentina on Wednesday.

Jesus has spent the last month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and travelled to Brazil during the international break, where he was assessed by his country's medical staff.

Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard is expected to be fit for Arsenal's game against Brentford, as confirmed by Norway manager Stale Solbakken.

"I've just come from a 45-minute talk with Martin," Solbakken said.

"He is getting better and better and gradually stepping up.

"It has been more or less three weeks without any special training, so it is important to take things step by step. Both he and Arsenal probably hope that he is available for the Brentford match."

Thomas Partey and Jurrien Timber remain on the long term injury list, while Ben White and Jorginho will face respective fitness tests ahead of the game against Brentford.

“Yesterday in training he wasn’t comfortable. He didn’t look right” Arteta said when asked about White's injury.

“Ben won’t give you much. He always wants to be on the pitch and he wants to hide anything that is in there.

“We highlighted something happening there which we noticed in the last two weeks as well.

“We wanted to protect him today. It was the right call from the physios and the medical department and tomorrow we will assess him and understand what’s happening."

Emile Smith Rowe, who is also out for a number of weeks, is still not close to returning.