Will Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus start against Brentford? Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta issues availability update on key Gunners trio

Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus could all be in contention for starting berths when Arsenal face Brentford in the Premier League.

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Club captain pushing for recallBrazilian striker & England defender also in the mixRamsdale to replace Raya between the sticksWHAT HAPPENED?

The Gunners are due to make the short trip from north to west London on Saturday for a meeting with the Bees. They will make that journey having dropped just nine points through their opening 12 games in the 2023-24 campaign – with the plan being to piece together another title challenge.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT ARTETA SAID

Mikel Arteta is hoyes ping to have a number of senior stars available after the international break, with club captain Odegaard having been out of action since facing West Ham in the Carabao Cup on November 1. Arteta said when asked for an update on the Norwegian midfielder: “We have another training session today but he's been progressing well. Hopefully he will be available.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Brazilian striker Jesus has been absent for Arsenal since October 24, but he figured for his country in a 2026 World Cup qualifying clash with Argentina and could get game time against Brentford. Arteta added: “He is available. He played 97 minutes in a really competitive match. We have another session. They had a really long flight and I have to see the condition of every single player to make the final call on the line up.”

Arteta went on to say when asked if England international defender White, who has been out since mid-November, will be available: “Again, if he’s able to train today he’ll be in contention to play. it's a question to be resolved in the next few hours.”

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Arsenal will definitely be without Thomas Partey, as he recovers from a thigh problem, while Fabio Vieira is suspended following his red card against Burnley. Aaron Ramsdale will make his first Premier League appearance since September between the sticks, as on-loan goalkeeper David Raya is ineligible against his parent club.

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