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Arsenal face a huge couple of weeks in their season and Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on his squad ahead of Tuesday's game against Sporting CP
Arsenal have received mixed news on the injury front with Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber to miss Tuesday's game against Sporting CP, but Declan Rice is fit to play. The Gunners face a defining few weeks in their season with a two-legged Champions League quarter-final and a league fixture against AFC Bournemouth in between.
After the second leg against Sporting next Wednesday, they travel to title rivals Manchester City in a potential title decider. Mikel Arteta's side are in need of a boost after disappointing defeats in the Carabao Cup final and FA Cup in recent weeks.
The return of key midfielder Rice is a welcome boost for Arsenal's manager as is the news that Gabriel and Leandro Trossard are also in contention to play in Portugal. Meanwhile, Saka and Timber could return this weekend against the Cherries.
There are still several key players missing, but the injury situation is beginning to ease for Arteta's team. Below is the latest Arsenal injury news and potential return dates...
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Bukayo Saka
Saka is being managed for the season-defining games, but is not quite ready for Tuesday night. He could, however, be back for the weekend against Bournemouth.
What Arteta has said: "They [Saka and Declan Rice] haven't travelled in yet, let's see, hopefully they're going to be ready for the weekend, if everything goes well.
"That's a massive boost because in recent days we've lost so many important players and that's something that we need to change immediately."
Possible return date: Bournemouth (H) - April 11.
Declan Rice
Arteta recently confirmed that Rice has been managing issues for a while, but with no obvious muscular injury present, he is set to return to the fold on Tuesday.
Return date: Sporting CP (A) - April 7.
Jurrien Timber
Timber has been struggling with injury for the past three weeks, but did look to be in contention to face Southampton. However, he was not included in the squad for the FA Cup clash, with attention now on a return at the weekend ahead of the second leg.
Possible return date: Bournemouth (H) - April 11.
Gabriel Magalhaes
Gabriel was pointing to his knee when receiving treatment from Arsenal's physios against Southampton. He was subsequently taken off in the 72nd minute with Saliba on as his replacement. However, he is set to return against Sporting.
Return date: Sporting CP (A) - April 7.
Leandro Trossard
Trossard returned early from Belgium duty and was not in the squad against Southampton. However, Arteta has confirmed he is fit to face Sporting.
Return date: Sporting CP (A) - April 7.
Eberechi Eze
A calf problem kept Eze out of the Carabao Cup final and England duty, with Arteta unsure of when he could return.
What Arteta has said: "With Ebbs, I cannot put a finger there because I don't know because he's a special character now."
Mikel Merino
Merino has missed the last few months after undergoing foot surgery. He is recovering well and was spotted in a protective boot at the Carabao Cup final with the aim of playing again this season.
Possible return date: May.
Piero Hincapie
Hincapie played for Ecuador in the two-week domestic break but hobbled off during one of their games, with Arteta confirming he does indeed have an issue.
What Arteta has said: "Yes, it was [a serious injury]."
Possible return date: N/A.
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