Arsenal handed major triple injury boost but Bukayo Saka concerns grow | Football | Sport

Arsenal have received mixed injury news following open training on Monday. Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Magalhaes were all spotted in attendance, yet Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie were notably absent.

William Saliba, Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard, who all made returns in some form at the weekend, were also out on the pitch at London Colney. Saliba came on for Gabriel during the FA Cup quarter-final loss to Southampton, and appears to have shaken off a knee complaint.

Arteta confirmed last week that Timber was in the frame to return this past weekend, yet he failed to make the squad. His ongoing absence indicates that the injury he sustained before the international break against Everton continues to trouble him.

Just days before that, Eze was forced off with a calf injury and is still recovering. Hincapie, meanwhile, picked up his injury while on duty for Ecuador, with Arteta recently confirming it is a concern.

Saka has no specific injury but has been dogged by niggling issues over recent months, with England manager Thomas Tuchel acknowledging that both he and Rice were visibly struggling.

On a more positive note for the Gunners, having Trossard and Rice available for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP represents a tremendous boost. Before training began, the pair were welcomed back by their Arsenal team-mates, who greeted them with a line of celebratory head slaps.

Both players have been dealing with niggling problems over recent weeks, which led them to be among several who withdrew from international duty.

Martin Zubimendi was another who returned to north London ahead of schedule, though he has since featured for Arsenal and took part in Monday’s session.

Arteta will be on hand to provide further updates on those seven players during his evening press conference.

Rice is among those likely to be carefully managed over the coming weeks, with Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth and Manchester City looming alongside the second leg.

The Gunners boss offered an assessment of his condition late last week, seemingly confirming suggestions that he is operating at just 70 per cent fitness.

He said: “Yeah, he’s been phenomenal because that’s been going on for a while and the fact that he’s been able to perform and consistently commit to the team in that manner.

“He talks about how much he wants to play for us and how much he wants to win, and that’s great to see.”