**Arteta Gives Injury Update Ahead of Brentford Clash** As Arsenal prepares to take on Brentford in the London derby this Thursday, manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of some of the team's key players. With the Gunners facing a packed fixture schedule, Arteta has been dealing with a slew of injuries, including those to Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, and Leandro Trossard. In a press conference on Wednesday, Arteta offered a mixed bag of news on the trio's status for the upcoming match. While he didn't give a definitive answer on their availability, he hinted that the team will need to wait and see how they progress in the coming days. As the Gunners look to get back to winning ways, Arteta will need to carefully manage his squad to ensure they have the best possible chance of success. Meanwhile, young forward Max Dowman has been making steady progress in his rehabilitation from injury. After becoming the club's youngest-ever Champions League appearance-maker in November, Dowman has been working tirelessly to regain his fitness. Arteta believes that the 16-year-old is on the cusp of a return to action, with a possible comeback in the next week or so. In a separate update, Arteta spoke about midfielder Mikel Merino, who underwent foot surgery earlier this week. The surgery was deemed a success, with Arteta expressing his confidence in the medical team's handling of the procedure. However, the road to recovery will be a long and challenging one, with Arteta warning that Merino faces several months of rehabilitation. As the Gunners look to navigate their busy schedule, Arteta will need to carefully balance the needs of his injured players with the demands of the team. With several key players on the sidelines, the manager will need to rely on his squad's depth and resilience to get the job done.