When every injured Arsenal star could return to fitness as eight-player update given

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Arsenal do not return to action until April 4 when they travel to Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals

Arsenal's current injury list looks sizeable as we prepare to enter the business end of the season. Mikel Arteta is keen to ensure the Gunners' campaign remains on track despite defeat in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley last weekend.

But there is good news for Arsenal as the majority of their injured players are expected to be back in training either after the international break or in the coming weeks.

Starting with captain Martin Odegaard, Norway boss Stale Solbakken thinks he should be targeting a comeback for the FA Cup trip to Southampton.

Solbakken said: “Now it is three weeks until Arsenal play again, or two-and-a-half weeks. I think it could be a goal for Martin to be in a squad then. It is within reach.

“There is no reason for him to travel [with Norway] now. He has to train [with Arsenal]. If he wants to use a day off to come here, he is welcome to do so, but it is not something that has been planned.”

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Meanwhile, France say William Saliba requires a minimum period of 10 days rest after he withdrew from the Les Bleus squad due to an issue with his left ankle. Saliba should be fine to feature against the Saints, though Arteta may have flexibility to rest him if he feels the defender needs to be managed carefully.

Gabriel Magalhaes also withdrew from the Brazil squad due to pain in his right knee. He simply needs to rest but should also be available to feature at St Mary's.

Leandro Trossard is another player who withdrew from international duty due to injury. He is staying behind at Arsenal during the break due to a recent hip issue. He's believed to be fine though and will seek to protect and maintain his fitness for when club football returns.

Eberechi Eze is more complex as he's facing between a month and six weeks on the sidelines with a calf injury sustained against Bayer Leverkusen. Arsenal hope he might return sooner and they still need to do another scan this week to get the full prognosis.

Jurrien Timber could still take a few more weeks to recover from his fitness issue. He is believed to have suffered an ankle injury against Everton but was also spotted holding his adductor/groin before leaving the field against the Toffees.

Mikel Merino is in a race against the clock to play again this season. He was at Wembley on Sunday and wore a protective boot on his foot and also used a crutch for support.

His primary goal is to be fit for the World Cup but if he's able to return for Arsenal in the coming months, that would be a huge bonus following surgery.

Finally, Riccardo Calafiori is expected to be fine for Italy's World Cup play-of semi-final against Northern Ireland despite reporting a niggle after the Carabao Cup final.