Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been unable to guarantee that Gabriel Jesus will be fit for Sunday's Premier League contest with Leeds United.
The former Manchester City man took an accidental elbow to the face from Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas in last weekend's 3-2 win, prompting concern from both sets of players.
Jesus was able to carry on after receiving treatment and lasted 90 minutes before being replaced by Eddie Nketiah, and he did not suffer a concussion in the incident.
However, the 25-year-old did not make the trip to Norway for Thursday's Europa League tie with Bodo/Glimt, having not trained with the rest of the squad on Wednesday morning.
Arteta's decision to leave Jesus out of the Gunners' midweek squad was thought to have been a precautionary measure, as Nketiah was always expected to get the nod up top in that 1-0 victory.
The Arsenal boss was asked for an update on Jesus's condition at his pre-game press conference, and he admitted that the striker was not certain to be available for the trip to Elland Road.
"I don't know, obviously he has some discomfort after the game against Liverpool and that's why we decided not to bring him in [to Norway], so let's see how he is tomorrow and Saturday," arsenal.com quotes Arteta as saying.
Jesus has made a stellar start to life at the Emirates since making the £45m switch from Man City in the summer, registering five goals and four assists in nine Premier League appearances, as well as setting up one goal in the Europa League.
Arsenal will definitely be without Mohamed Elneny (hamstring) and Emile Smith Rowe (groin) for Sunday's game with Leeds, and Oleksandr Zinchenko remains a doubt with his calf injury.
Despite the hectic October schedule, Arteta named a stronger than expected starting lineup against Bodo/Glimt, who had previously won 14 European home games on the bounce before Bukayo Saka's goal decided the Group A contest.
Arsenal were forced to withstand a lot of pressure from the Norwegian champions in midweek, and Arteta believes that the fatigue from juggling domestic and European commitments is now setting in.
"I think it is already here, but I think after the World Cup it is going to be even worse, so I think it is good preparation for what is coming," Arteta added.
Arsenal remain one point clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, but Tottenham Hotspur could move to within one point of their North London rivals should they overcome Everton on Saturday night.
With Man City not in action against Liverpool until after Arsenal's game with Leeds, Arteta's side could temporarily open up a four-point gap at the summit should they record a seventh win in a row across all tournaments on Sunday.
Following their trip to Elland Road, Arsenal will also battle with PSV Eindhoven twice, Southampton and Nottingham Forest before the month is up. body check tags ::
