Arsenal will be focused on their big Champions League clash with Real Madrid after the international break. They play the first leg of their quarter-final at the Emirates on April 8, followed by the return leg at the Bernabeu on April 16. Before that, they have two Premier League games—hosting Fulham on Tuesday and visiting Everton next Saturday.
With nine league games left and a 12-point gap behind leaders Liverpool, winning the title seems unlikely, so the Champions League is their main priority. One key concern is Bukayo Saka’s fitness, as he could be crucial against Real Madrid. Here’s the latest on Arsenal’s injury situation.
Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka is nearing a return after three months out with a hamstring injury. He has been increasing his workload during the international break, focusing on intense one-on-one fitness sessions and ball work with teammates. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta recently said Saka is making good progress and will soon rejoin team training to assess his fitness. The winger is eager to be ready for the first leg against Real Madrid, and the upcoming games against Fulham and Everton could help him regain match sharpness. Arteta is expected to give an update on Saka’s fitness in his pre-Fulham press conference on Monday.
Riccardo Calafiori
Arsenal suffered a setback during the international break as Riccardo Calafiori picked up a knee injury while playing for Italy against Germany in the Nations League. The defender was forced off and later withdrew from the Italy squad to return to Arsenal for further assessment. The Italian Football Federation confirmed he was unavailable for their next game, and Arsenal’s medical team is now evaluating the extent of his injury. Calafiori could face another spell on the sidelines, with Mikel Arteta set to provide an update on his fitness in Monday’s pre-Fulham press conference.
Jurrien Timber
Timber withdrew from the Netherlands squad last week due to illness, missing their Nations League quarter-final against Spain before leaving the Dutch camp after being ruled out of the second leg. However, he is expected to recover in time to be available for Arsenal’s game against Fulham next week.
Kai Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Jesus
Kai Havertz and Takehiro Tomiyasu have been ruled out for the rest of the season, with Havertz undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury sustained during Arsenal’s training camp in Dubai, while Tomiyasu had knee surgery last month after playing just six minutes since August.
The Japanese defender admitted in an Instagram post that this has been the toughest period of his career but vowed to keep fighting. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus is also sidelined for a long spell after undergoing knee surgery in January.
