Arsenal Training Session
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)
Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori both returned to Arsenal training on Tuesday in a much-needed lift ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg with Atletico Madrid.
Eze scored the winner for the Gunners against Newcastle at the weekend, but there was concern when the midfielder was forced off in the second half after receiving medical treatment.
However, Mikel Arteta was quick to downplay the severity of the injury, with Eze himself labelling it as a ‘precautionary’ when speaking to reporters post-match.
And Eze’s presence in training on Tuesday would appear to confirm that, with the 27-year-old in line to feature tomorrow in Madrid.
There was also good news defensively, with Calafiori taking part in training at London Colney.
The versatile defender has not featured since the 1-0 win at Sporting in the quarter-final first leg, missing Arsenal’s last four games due to an unspecified issue.
However, there was no sign of Kai Havertz, who was forced off in the first half against Newcastle with a muscular injury.
Arsenal v Newcastle United - Premier League
Eberechi Eze was forced off against Newcastle (Picture: Getty)
But reports suggest that Arsenal are hopeful that the German international will make a return before the end of the season.
Viktor Gyokeres is expected to return to the starting lineup in place of Havertz on Wednesday evening.
Bukayo Saka could also make his return to the starting lineup after an appearance off the bench on Saturday, his first minutes since Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at the end of March.
Elsewhere, Jurrien Timber was not seen in training as he continues his rehabilitation from an ankle injury picked up against Everton last month, while Mikel Merino remains sidelined with a longer-term foot injury.
Meanwhile, Atletico will hope that midfielder Pablo Barrios can recover in time for Wednesday’s match after being forced off against Athletic Bilbao at the weekend.
But Julian Alvarez looks poised to return to the starting lineup after being rested during Saturday’s 3-2 league win.
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