Arsenal are back in Champions League action this evening as they face Sporting Clube de Portugal in the Portuguese capital
04:00, 07 Apr 2026
Bukayo Saka during an Arsenal game
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Bukayo Saka has been ruled out of Arsenal's match against Sporting(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has given significant Arsenal injury updates ahead of the Champions League quarter-final clash against Sporting Clube de Portugal in Lisbon. The visitors had fitness doubts about Gabriel, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Piero Hincapie, Jurrien Timber and Leandro Trossard.
Arteta confirmed during his press conference on Monday that Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber will not be available, the pair left at home and not part of the travelling squad.
"They haven't travelled in yet, let's see, hopefully they're going to be ready for the weekend, if everything goes well," he said.
"That's a massive boost because in recent days we've lost so many important players and that's something that we need to change immediately."
Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino will remain sidelined for the match due to injury while there are doubts over Piero Hincapie's availability.
Mikel Merino
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Mikel Merino is not expected to return until the summer(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Elsewhere, Gabriel, Rice and Trossard are fit for the game, with Arteta confirming with a simple 'yes, yes and yes', when asked if they would be available.
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Viktor Gyokeres was naturally a big focus, considering he will play against his former club. The Arsenal coach gave his thoughts on the player and why they signed him too.
"I think he's very excited," the Gunners boss continued. "He's full of gratitude for his time here. The way he talks about the club, the players, the staff, everybody around the club.
"The experience that he had, how important that part of his journey in Sporting has been."
Gyokeres is expected to receive a warm welcome at Estadio Jose Alvalade, though his former teammate Nuno Santos will not be available as he continues to nurse a thigh injury picked up against Alverca last month, a match in which he lasted only 26 minutes.
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Former West Ham midfielder Luis Guilherme also suffered an injury in that game, spraining his foot.
Fotis Ioannidis is another absentee, having been out since January after picking up a knee injury in the League Cup match against Vitoria Guimaraes.
Meanwhile, the Lions manager Rui Borges has been boosted by the return of Geovany Quenda following an almost four‑month absence with a metatarsal fracture.
Speaking about his return this month, the 18-year-old said: "I'm very happy to be back. I'm training with the rest of the team and I feel very good. Mentally, I'm always at 100 per cent.
"All of the people who gave me strength have contributed greatly. We have goals to achieve and I have to do my best to help the team. We will continue working hard, because everything is possible. I think we will achieve our objectives."
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