Arsenal have been dealt a major blow ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash with Sporting CP on Tuesday, as Bukayo Saka missed training due to injury.
The Gunners are set to travel to Portugal later on Monday ahead of a huge game against the Primera Liga champions, having lost the Carabao Cup final to Man City and then crashed out of the FA Cup to Championship outfit Southampton in their last two games.
But while Mikel Arteta's side are surely prioritising the Premier League and Champions League as their primary competitions to win, they look as though they will have to do so without influential forward Saka after he was absent from the final session before the game.
Saka Misses Arsenal Training
Saka
Saka, who has been described as 'world-class', was forced off with a knock during the game against Man City at Wembley, before withdrawing from the England squad and missing their friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, and then missing the FA Cup quarter-final clash with the Saints.
But the England international was still nowhere to be seen as Sky Sports released footage of open training, suggesting that he is unlikely to be available for the big game on Tuesday.
Arsenal did receive a boost, however, as both Declan Rice and Gabriel Magalhaes were seen despite recent injury concerns. Rice also missed the England friendlies and the FA Cup clash with a knock, while the Brazilian defender was forced off the pitch at St Mary's in the second half with an apparent knee problem.
But both players were seen in the session and are expected to be available for selection, with Arteta set to hold a press conference on Monday evening to confirm any team news.
Arsenal Must Get Back to Winning Ways
Mikel Arteta
Just a few short weeks ago the north London club were on the cusp of a potential quadruple, but they are now looking at a double at best, and their form is causing concern among the fan base.
The best way to settle those doubts is to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible, and that should start against Sporting to get one foot into the semi-finals of Europe's elite competition for a second consecutive season.
Despite Saka not being available, Arteta has plenty of attacking options to call upon for the game and they will expect to have too much firepower if they are at their best.
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