Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Arsenal Football Newsletter
Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings
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Arsenal will have their sights firmly on their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid when they return after the international break.
The Gunners host the first leg of their quarter-final tie at Emirates Stadium on April 8 before the return leg at the Bernabeu on April 16.
Before then, Arsenal host Fulham in the Premier League Tuesday and then face Everton at Goodison Park next Saturday.
Twelve points behind Liverpool with nine games to go, catching the leaders looks a long shot and so the main focus is on the Champions League.
The fitness of Bukayo Saka could be key to their chances against European kings Real Madrid. With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest on Arsenal injuries...
Bukayo Saka
Saka is closing in on a return after three months out.
The winger has not played for Arsenal since tearing his hamstring in December but he has been ramping up his workload over the international break as he targets a comeback.
Saka has been stepping up his recovery from the hamstring injury he suffered in December
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Saka is at the crucial final stages of his recovery and Arsenal planned for him to be start being involved in longer, more intense one-on-one fitness sessions, as well as start working with the ball with his team-mates.
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“He’s getting closer, he’s stepping up and making a very good progress I would say,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta before the international break.
“So, let’s see when we start to throw him in with the team, how he reacts and how fit he can get quickly.”
Saka is desperate to get back for the first leg against Real Madrid.
The games against Fulham and Everton present Saka with the chance to get minutes in his legs before then, but much will depend on how he progressed in the final part of his recovery.
Arteta is set to provide an update on Saka’s fitness and his pre-Fulham press conference on Monday.
Potential return date: April
Riccardo Calafiori
Arsenal were dealt a fresh blow over the international break when Riccardo Calafiori suffered a knee injury playing for Italy.
The defender went off in a Nations League game against Germany and withdrew from the Italy squad to return to Arsenal for assessment.
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori sits injured during Italy's Nations League match against Germany
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori sits injured during Italy's Nations League match against Germany
Calafiori injured his knee playing for Italy
Getty Images
“Riccardo Calafiori, who underwent tests late this morning after sustaining an injury to his left knee during yesterday's match against Germany, has been deemed unavailable for Sunday's second leg and will return to his club,” read a statement from the Italian Football Federation.
Calafiori has been being assessed by Arsenal and faces another spell on the sidelines.
Arteta will provide an update on his fitness on Monday.
Potential return date: Unknown
Jurrien Timber
Timber withdrew from the Netherlands squad last week due to illness.
He missed the first leg of their Nations League quarter-final against Spain and then left the Dutch camp when it was deemed he would not be fit for the second leg.
But Timber is expected to recover in time to be fit for the Fulham game next week.
Potential return date: April 1, vs Fulham (H)
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz will not play again this season after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury sustained during Arsenal’s warm-weather camp in Dubai.
Potential return date: Summer 2025
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Like Havertz, Takehiro Tomiyasu has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
The Japan international has managed only six minutes of action since August and had knee surgery last month.
“I’ve had a surgery on my knee few days ago and I’ve already started my rehab to do what I love the most again,” he wrote in an Instagram post last month.
“It has been the toughest period in my career for sure and it carries on a bit more but I won’t give up. Thank you for your support and see you again.”
Potential return date: Unknown
Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus suffered a serious knee injury in January and duly underwent surgery, ruling him out for a significant period of time.
Potential return date: Unknown
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