The double Arsenal fitness boost no one is talking about ahead of Tottenham

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Arsenal could be boosted by two returning stars for the North London Derby as Mikel Arteta prepares to welcome back impact players

Arsenal could welcome back several of their previously absent stars for the North London Derby this weekend. Mikel Arteta has been dealt many blows already this season, most recently with Gabriel Magalhaes coming off against Senegal for Brazil.

The return of other stars could help mitigate the loss of such a presence. While Gabriel Jesus was spotted again with the Arsenal team in pictures ahead of the weekend, a return for the striker still seems premature.

It is worth remembering that Jurrien Timber trained with the group for a significant period of time before returning to the fold on the final day of the 2023/24 season. So a return for Jesus would be a fantasy.

For Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke, however, that could be a different story. The pair are pushing to return for the derby and could offer Arteta some game-changing quality he lacked in the clash with Sunderland.

On the bench that day in an attacking sense were 18-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, 17-year-old Andrea Harriman-Annous and 15-year-old Max Dowman. While all have plenty to offer, the lack of senior depth due to injuries could not be more apparent.

Having Martinelli and Madueke to back up the established stars, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard, could be game-changing for the Spanish coach. Madueke was even believed to be pushing to be involved in the squad that travelled to Sunderland.

While Jesus, Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Odegaard still might have to wait a little longer to make their impacts in the first team. the cavalry does appear to be on the way for Arteta, and it also seems to be coming at the perfect time.

The festive schedule can be a real gauntlet and without key players in similar positions, the struggle can snowball. For Arsenal, however, the return of these stars plus the depth that already exists is hoped to be a recipe for success.