Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber ruled out as Mikel Arteta prepares Arsenal for Sporting CP Champions League quarter-final first leg
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed fresh injury concerns over Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP.
The Gunners travel to the Estádio José Alvalade looking to respond after a difficult run of results. Defeat in the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City was followed by a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton, ending their hopes of a historic quadruple.
Despite that disappointment, Arteta insists focus quickly shifts back to Europe.
“I think it doesn’t change it, I mean, regardless this is the quarter-finals of the Champions League, it doesn’t get much better than that, and we worked so hard throughout the season to be in this position in the competition,” he said.
“We’re going to play an opponent here that we know about, their record and what they’ve done. So we are hungrier than ever, very excited and very, very motivated for tomorrow’s game.”
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Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber injury latest
While there was positive news on other key players, Arteta confirmed that Saka and Timber are not yet ready to return.
“No, they’re having trouble, they’re not ready yet. Let’s see, hopefully they’re going to be ready for the weekend, if everything goes well, and 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.”
There was better news elsewhere, with Arteta confirming that Gabriel Magalhães, Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard are all available for selection.
Arsenal head into the tie as favourites over two legs, but Sporting’s strong European pedigree means Arteta’s side will need to be at their best, especially with key attackers like Saka still sidelined.
With a crucial season run-in after elimination in the two domestic cups, the Gunners will be looking to bounce back against the champions of Portugal on Tuesday.