Arsenal injury update and latest return dates as crisis fears grow…

Arsenal injury update and the latest return dates as concerns about a crisis increase.

William Saliba, Gabriel, and Eberechi Eze are among seven players causing worry for Mikel Arteta following the loss in the Carabao Cup final.

After their defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal has faced several new significant injury issues.

The Gunners’ aspirations for an unprecedented quadruple trophy were dashed at Wembley on Sunday, following a second-half headed double from Nico O’Reilly, which could have implications for the Premier League title race.

Arsenal maintains a solid nine-point advantage at the top with seven matches left, but they still need to visit the Etihad Stadium next month to take on a City team that is now brimming with confidence and has a game in hand.

The treble remains within reach for Mikel Arteta’s squad, who will shift their focus back to the FA Cup right after the current international break, as they prepare to face Championship play-off contenders Southampton in the quarter-finals.

Following that, they will dive straight into their Champions League quarter-final against Portuguese powerhouses Sporting, with the two legs—first away in Lisbon and then at home—sandwiched between Bournemouth’s visit to the Emirates Stadium and the crucial trip to City.

Arteta will be hoping to have a robust squad ready for these significant challenges ahead, as he aims to ensure that the disappointment from the Carabao Cup does not derail what could still be a remarkable season. However, five Arsenal players have recently withdrawn from international duty in quick succession, adding to existing fitness concerns that were already present before the final.

With this context, here is the latest news on Arsenal injuries and potential return dates as the situation stands.

Gabriel

On Monday, Arsenal supporters were taken aback to learn that Gabriel had pulled out of Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia in the United States.

The prominent centre-back participated in the entire 90 minutes against City at Wembley, but he will not be available for national team duty due to experiencing pain in his right knee following the Carabao Cup final.

“Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes is unavailable for the friendly matches against France and Croatia,” stated the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).

“After the match this Sunday (22) against Manchester City, in the English League Cup final, the player reported discomfort in his right knee.

Imaging tests have verified that Gabriel Magalhaes is unfit to participate in the games during this FIFA international break – no other player will be called up to take his place.”

We await clarification on whether his withdrawal is merely a precaution or if the injury is more severe.

Until we receive further information, we will presume that Gabriel will be ready for the FA Cup, where Arteta is expected to field a stronger lineup than in the closely contested fifth-round 2-1 victory at third-tier Mansfield, although he may still make adjustments with his team heavily favoured to achieve a quick return to Wembley.

Expected return date: Saturday, April 4, against Southampton (A)

William Saliba

Gabriel’s centre-back partner, William Saliba, had already opted out of international duty following the Carabao Cup final, where he largely excelled in his running battle with City star Erling Haaland.

Like Gabriel, Saliba completed the full 90 minutes at Wembley, but after the match, he withdrew from Didier Deschamps’ France squad, which is set to face Brazil and Colombia in pre-World Cup friendlies in the USA, citing a left ankle problem and was replaced by Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix.

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

“He is taking the place of William Saliba, who is dealing with a left ankle injury, and we wish him a swift recovery.”

Saliba’s ongoing ankle injury issues this season raise additional concerns; however, until we receive further updates from Arteta or Arsenal, it is currently assumed that he will be available to face Southampton.

Expected return date: Saturday, April 4, against Southampton (A)

Eberechi Eze

Eberechi Eze was unexpectedly missing from the Arsenal lineup at Wembley, having seemingly recovered from a knock that caused him to exit late in a brilliant performance where he scored in the Champions League last-16 second-leg victory over Bayer Leverkusen last week.

Unfortunately, he could not participate due to a calf injury, as confirmed by Arteta, and he will have additional scans later this week. He has withdrawn from England’s squad for the Wembley friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with Leverkusen’s Jarell Quansah also stepping aside. Harvey Barnes and Ben White have been called up instead by Thomas Tuchel, marking the Arsenal defender’s return to international duty after a four-year absence.

“We did everything possible [to prepare him for the match],” Arteta remarked about Eze on Sunday, adding: “We need to conduct another scan in six or seven days and await the results.”

Reports indicate that Eze may be sidelined for at least two weeks, making it unlikely for him to be fit for the Southampton match. The first-leg trip to Sporting seems more feasible, although a clearer understanding will emerge following the aforementioned scans.

Expected return date: Tuesday, April 7, against Sporting (A)

Leandro Trossard

Another unexpected withdrawal from international duty for Arsenal on Monday was Leandro Trossard, who did not join Rudi Garcia’s Belgium squad for matches against the USA and Mexico, alongside Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken.

This choice will enable them to continue their recovery under the best possible conditions,” stated the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA).

The specifics of Trossard’s injury were not disclosed, but he recently dealt with a minor issue sustained at Mansfield in the FA Cup, which caused him to miss the first leg in Leverkusen and the victory over Everton.

Expected return date: Saturday, April 4, against Southampton (A)

Jurrien Timber

Arteta was optimistic about having Jurrien Timber available at Wembley after he suffered an ankle injury that caused him to leave the pitch in the first half against Everton, which also kept him out of the second-leg victory over Leverkusen.

He was seen training at London Colney the day before the final, but ultimately did not participate as White continued to serve as Arsenal’s starting right-back.

Arteta mentioned, “They [Timber and Martin Odegaard] were unable to participate [in the final], so I believe they will still need a couple of weeks [before returning]. Let’s see after the international break if we have anyone back.”

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

Expected return date: Saturday, April 4, against Southampton (A)

Martin Odegaard

Arsenal’s key captain has only appeared once since experiencing a knee injury against Brentford on February 12, making a notable return as a substitute in last month’s north London derby where they defeated Tottenham.

However, he has not played since then, as Arteta acknowledged that he still did not feel ready, missing the last seven matches across all competitions during this injury-plagued season.

Similar to Timber, Arteta stated before the Wembley match that Odegaard was still a couple of weeks away from making a comeback, so we will see if he is available for the Southampton match.

Stale Solbakken excluded him from the Norway squad for the upcoming matches against the Netherlands and Switzerland during this international break.

Expected return date: Saturday, April 4, against Southampton (A)

Mikel Merino

It is uncertain whether Mikel Merino will return to play this season as he is undergoing a lengthy recovery following surgery in early February for a rare and serious bone injury in his right foot, which he sustained after scoring during the home league loss to Manchester United on January 25.

He was present with his Arsenal teammates at Wembley on Sunday, spotted on the field before the match with his foot encased in a protective boot and a crutch in hand.

Spain international Merino seems to be racing against the clock to recover in time for this summer’s World Cup finals in North America.

Estimated return date: Uncertain