Arsenal head to Portugal tonight for their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP carrying one of the longest injury lists in the top five European leagues.
The good news first. Gabriel Magalhaes, who went off with a knee concern against Southampton on Saturday, was spotted in open training on Monday and appears to have shaken off the problem. Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard were also part of the group. Martin Odegaard, returning from a month out with a knee injury, made it through an hour against Southampton and is expected to be involved tonight.
The bad news is significant. Bukayo Saka withdrew from the England squad over the international break with tiredness and a knock and is not expected to travel to Lisbon. Jurrien Timber, who missed the FA Cup game at Southampton, also remains out. Eberechi Eze has a calf injury and will be unavailable for a little while according to Arteta. Piero Hincapie is the biggest concern — Arteta admitted after Southampton that his injury could be serious.
Mikel Merino is the long-term absentee. He had surgery on a broken foot in January and there is no clear return date this season.
William Saliba, who came on as a substitute at Southampton and was carrying an ankle problem, trained on Monday and is expected to be available. Noni Madueke also made a surprise appearance in the squad at Southampton despite a knee concern and could be involved.
The confirmed absentees tonight: Saka, Timber, Eze, Merino, Hincapie. Possible returns: Gabriel, Saliba, Rice, Odegaard, Trossard.
Arsenal face a congested schedule — Sporting at home in the second leg on April 15, Bournemouth in the Premier League on April 11, and then Man City in a potential title decider on April 19.
