Arsenal injury update and latest return dates as crisis fears grow | OneFootball

William Saliba, Gabriel and Eberechi Eze among seven concerns for Mikel Arteta after Carabao Cup final loss

Arsenal hold a commanding nine-point lead at the summit with seven matches remaining, but still have to go to the Etihad Stadium next month to face a City side now with renewed confidence who also possess a game in hand.

Then it’s straight into their Champions League last-eight tie against Portuguese giants Sporting, the two legs of which - first away in Lisbon, then home - are sandwiched between Bournemouth’s top-flight visit to the Emirates Stadium, with that massive trip to City then lying in wait.

Arteta will hope to have a strong squad available for those important challenges ahead as he bids to ensure that Carabao Cup heartbreak does not derail what could still be a very special campaign, though five Arsenal stars have now withdrawn from international duty in quick succession to add to other fitness issues that were still lingering ahead of the final.

With that in mind, here is all the latest Arsenal injury news and potential return dates as things stand.

Gabriel

Arsenal fans were shocked to hear on Monday that Gabriel had withdrawn from Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia in the United States.

The influential centre-back played the full 90 minutes against City at Wembley, but will not be available for Selecao duty having felt pain in his right knee after the Carabao Cup final.

“Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is out of the friendlies against France and Croatia,” read a statement from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

“After the game this Sunday (22) against Manchester City, for the final of the English League Cup, the athlete complained of pain in his right knee.

Gabriel will not play for Brazil in their US friendlies against France and Croatia

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“Imaging tests have confirmed that Gabriel Magalhaes is not fit to play in the matches during this FIFA international break - no other player will be called up to replace him.”

We wait to find out if his withdrawal was a mere precaution or if the knock is something more serious.

Until we get another update, we will assume that Gabriel will be available in the FA Cup, where Arteta should name a stronger team than in the hard-fought fifth-round 2-1 win at third-tier Mansfield but could still make changes with his side heavy favourites to secure a swift Wembley return.

Potential return date: Saturday April 4, vs Southampton (A)

William Saliba

Gabriel’s centre-back partner William Saliba had already withdrawn from international duty in the aftermath of the Carabao Cup final, where he was mostly on top in his running duel with City talisman Erling Haaland.

Like Gabriel, Saliba played the full 90 minutes at Wembley, but after the game pulled out of Didier Deschamps’ France squad who will meet Brazil and Colombia in pre-World Cup friendlies in the USA, citing a left ankle issue and replaced by Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.

Like Gabriel, William Saliba played the full 90 minutes for Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final

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“First call-up to Les Bleus for Maxence Lacroix,” said the France Football Federation (FFF). “The CPFC defender, aged 25 and already having gone through the youth teams, is expected this Monday at Clairefontaine.

“He is replacing William Saliba, who has a left ankle injury, and we wish him a speedy recovery.”

Saliba’s history of ankle injuries this season will give cause for added concern, but again, until we hear otherwise from Arteta or Arsenal, it can be assumed as of now that he will be in the running to face Southampton.

Potential return date: Saturday April 4, vs Southampton (A)

Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze was a surprise absentee from the Arsenal squad at Wembley, having seemingly shaken off a knock that forced him off late after a superb performance and goal in the Champions League last-16 second-leg win over Bayer Leverkusen last week.

However, he was unable to be involved due to what Arteta confirmed was a calf injury and he will undergo further scans later this week, having withdrawn from England duty for Wembley friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, alongside Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah - Harvey Barnes and Ben White have since been added instead by Thomas Tuchel, the Arsenal defender ending a four-year international exile.

Reports suggest that Eze will be out for at least two weeks, so it’s difficult to see him being ready for the Southampton game. Perhaps the first-leg trip to Sporting is more realistic, though a fuller picture will be known after those aforementioned scans.

Potential return date: Tuesday, April 7 vs Sporting (A)

Eberechi Eze and Leandro Trossard have also withdrawn from international duty

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Leandro Trossard

Yet another unexpected Arsenal withdrawal from international duty on Monday was Leandro Trossard, who has not joined up with Rudi Garcia’s Belgium for games against the USA and Mexico, alongside Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken.

“This decision will allow them to continue their rehabilitation under optimal conditions,” said the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA).

Trossard’s injury was not specified, though he did recently battle a minor issue suffered at Mansfield in the FA Cup that forced him to miss the first leg in Leverkusen and win over Everton.

Potential return date: Saturday April 4, vs Southampton (A)

Jurrien Timber

Arteta had hoped to have Jurrien Timber back at Wembley following an apparent ankle problem that forced him off in the first half against Everton and ruled him out of the second-leg win over Leverkusen.

He was spotted back in training at London Colney on the eve of the final, but ended up missing out again as White remained as Arsenal’s starting right-back.

“They [Timber and Martin Odegaard] couldn't make [the final], so I think they will still be a couple of weeks [away from returning],” Arteta said. “Let's see after the international break if we have anybody back.”

Timber had been called up by Ronald Koeman to the Netherlands squad for games against Norway and Ecuador, but withdrew after not playing against City and was replaced by Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida.

Potential return date: Saturday April 4, vs Southampton (A)

Arsenal did hope to have Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard back against Manchester City

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Martin Odegaard

Arsenal’s influential captain has played just once since suffering a knee issue against Brentford on February 12, returning with an impactful cameo off the bench in last month’s latest north London derby drubbing of Tottenham.

However, he has not featured at all after that as Arteta admitted he still did not feel comfortable, missing the last seven games across all competitions as an injury-hit campaign continues.

Like Timber, Arteta said ahead of kick-off at Wembley that Odegaard was still a couple of weeks away from returning, so let’s see if he’s in contention for Southampton.

Stale Solbakken omitted him from the Norway squad to face the Netherlands and Switzerland during this international window.

Potential return date: Saturday April 4, vs Southampton (A)

Mikel Merino was seen on the Wembley pitch ahead of kick-off, using a crutch and with his foot in a brace

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Mikel Merino

It remains to be seen if Mikel Merino will play again this season as he faces a months-long recuperation following surgery in early February on a very rare and serious right foot bone injury sustained after scoring in the home league defeat by Manchester United on January 25.

He was with his Arsenal team-mates at Wembley on Sunday, seen on the pitch ahead of the game with his foot in a protective boot and a crutch in his hand.

Spain international Merino appears to be in a race against time to be fit for this summer’s World Cup finals in North America.