Arsenal handed huge double injury boost for Atletico Madrid clash after new update | OneFootball

Two Gunners stars back in training on eve of Champions League semi-final first-leg tie

Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori handed Arsenal a major boost as both players took part in training ahead of the Champions League semi-final showdown with Atletico Madrid.

Eze went off early in the second half of Saturday’s Premier League win over Newcastle, raising fears of another injury blow for the Gunners in attack.

However, the England midfielder sat on the bench for the rest of the match rather than heading straight down the tunnel and was on the pitch at full-time.

He told reporters after the match that his withdrawal was "precautionary" and manager Mikel Arteta also indicated the injury was not a serious one.

Eze was involved in Arsenal's open training session at London Colney on Tuesday morning, suggesting he will be involved against Atletico.

The same was also true of defender Calafiori, who has not played since the 1-0 win at Sporting in the quarter-final first leg due to an unspecified injury problem.

Calafiori was with the squad against Newcastle but not risked by Arteta, who said the Italian international was “very close” to being available.

Arsenal face Diego Simeone's side in Madrid in the first leg of the semi-final tie, before hosting them next week in the return fixture in north London.

Kai Havertz is set to miss the match on Wednesday night due to the muscular injury he suffered against Newcastle.

It is understood that the German has avoided a serious injury and is set to return before the end of the season, but he will not feature in Madrid.

Likewise Jurrien Timber, who did not train on Tuesday and has not played since going off in the first half of the 2-0 win over Everton on March 14 with an ankle injury.

Bukayo Saka was involved in Tuesday’s session and he could start his first match since the Carabao Cup final last month.

The winger returned from an Achilles injury to play the final 10 minutes against Newcastle and looked bright, immediately lifting Arsenal in attack.

Mikel Merino remains unavailable for the Gunners, though he is stepping up his recovery from a foot injury in a bid to try and play some part in the run-in.