Rice, Saka, Timber - Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Sporting clash

Arsenal are contending with a number of injuries ahead of their Champions League clash with Sporting CP and the build up to the Premier League meeting with Manchester City

Arsenal have a number of key injury issues as they head into their Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash against Sporting CP. The Gunners hold a one-goal advantage as they welcome their Portuguese opponents to the Emirates, albeit without their full squad.

In a typical fashion, Arteta provided little clarity on his players who may or may not be in contention for a return, but Declan Rice missed the north London side's open training session. With Manchester City to follow, it is a pivotal time for the Spanish head coach to have as many options as possible.

Arteta was asked if he needed players to play through pain. "They are trying to do that, and we know how important availability is in this crucial period of the season," he said.

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"Obviously, we've been missing four or five starters now for weeks, which has an impact. So that's why we need them back, that's for sure."

football.london takes a look at when Arsenal's injured stars could return.

Declan Rice

Declan Rice was absent from Arsenal's preparations to face Sporting CP but Arteta offered little on when he could make his return. The volume of matches the midfielder has been required to play appears to have played a role.

"I don't want to do that," Arteta said in his press conference. "We have to wait and see how he is tomorrow but obviously he wasn't available to train."

"Well, he's played a lot of games, and that's part of the issue," Arteta added. "But he's going to try to do everything that he possibly can to be with us tomorrow. That’s for sure."

Possible return date: Unknown.

Martin Odegaard

The Denmark international picked up an issue during the first leg against Sporting and has yet to return. The Gunners captain was not involved in training ahead of the Champions League clash.

Odegaard's knee issue has previously been described as a niggle.

Possible return date: April 19 vs Manchester City.

Riccardo Calafiori

Riccardo Calafiori was absent from Arsenal's squad against Bournemouth after completing 90 minutes in the first leg against Sporting. The Italian defender did not train on Tuesday with little detail over any injury.

Given that he has not played consecutive Premier League matches since December, his minutes may be being managed.

Possible return date: April 19 vs Manchester City

Bukayo Saka

England international Bukayo Saka is dealing with an Achilles issue that has troubled him for a number of weeks. His return is getting closer, according to Arteta, but he was missing from training on Tuesday.

The Arsenal boss did reveal that Saka had not suffered a setback, however.

"It is his progression, but hopefully it's going to be a matter of days and not weeks," Arteta said. "But he has to see when he's loading more, how he responds to that kind of progression.

Possible return date: April 19 vs Manchester City.

Jurrien Timber

The Dutch defender also did not train on Tuesday but Arteta suggested that one of Saka or Timber could be back in time to face Sporting. Given Saka still likely has a 'matter of days', perhaps that makes Timber's return more likely.

Possible return date: April 15 vs Sporting CP.

Mikel Merino

The Spanish midfielder is pushing to return quicker than expected but is still unlikely to feature until after the season is over. Merino is out of his protective boot and has reacted well to surgery, however, Arteta revealed ahead of Bournemouth.

"He's another one who is going to push every boundary," Arteta said. "He's out of his boot now, he's doing quite a lot of exercises already.

"He's reacted really well to the surgery, he's got no pain. It's more for the medical staff to go a bit further on that. But I'm sure there is a chance to make that period shorter. If there is a person who can do it, I'm sure that's going to be Mikel again."

Possible return date: May 24.