Mikel Arteta has confirmed Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber will miss the Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon, with Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino also sidelined
Bukayo Saka
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is still not ready to return from a hamstring injury(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta has provided crucial Arsenal injury updates ahead of the Champions League quarter-final encounter with Sporting Clube de Portugal in Lisbon. The away side have had fitness concerns surrounding Gabriel, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Piero Hincapie, Jurrien Timber and Leandro Trossard.
"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."
Meanwhile, Gabriel, Rice and Trossard are all ready for the match, with Arteta confirming with a straightforward 'yes, yes and yes', when questioned about their availability.
Viktor Gyokeres was understandably a major talking point, given he will face his former club. The Arsenal manager offered his perspective on the striker and the reasoning behind his acquisition 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."
However, Lions boss Rui Borges has welcomed back Geovany Quenda after an almost four-month lay-off with a metatarsal fracture.
Geovany Quenda
Geovany Quenda is back fit for Sporting(Image: Getty Images)
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Discussing his comeback 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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