Mikel Arteta welcomed three key Arsenal stars back into training on Monday, but four players are still absent due to injury
12:16, 06 Apr 2026Updated 12:40, 06 Apr 2026
Arsenal held an open training session on Monday with Declan Rice among the key stars returning(Image: PA)
Arsenal have been handed mixed injury updates from open training on Monday. Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Magalhaes have all been spotted, but there was no sign of Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze or Piero Hincapie.
William Saliba, Noni Madueke and Martin Odegaard, who all returned in some capacity at the weekend, were also out on the grass at London Colney. Saliba replaced Gabriel during the FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Southampton due to a knee problem, but the Brazilian has seemingly overcome the issue to feature.
Arteta confirmed last week that Timber was in contention to return this past weekend, but he did not make the squad. His continued absence suggests the injury he picked up before the international break against Everton is still bothering him.
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Just a few days prior, Eze was forced off because of a calf issue and he is still recovering from that. Hincapie, meanwhile, suffered his injury playing for Ecuador, with Arteta recently confirming it is serious.
Saka does not have a specific injury but has been plagued by minor issues over the last few months, with England boss Thomas Tuchel admitting that both he and Rice were clearly suffering from discomfort.
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On a positive note, getting Trossard and Rice back for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP is a massive boost. Before training got started, the duo were welcomed back by all the Arsenal players slapping the back of their heads in a line.
Both players have been managing issues over the last few weeks, which caused them to be two of many to withdraw from international duty.
Martin Zubimendi was one of those that also returned to north London early, but he has since played for Arsenal and was part of the session on Monday.
Arteta will be on hand to give further updates on those seven players both with regard to how long the injured quartet may be out for and also as to how many minutes the three returning stars can play.
Declan Rice returned to Arsenal training on Monday(Image: PA)
Rice is one of those likely to be managed over the next few weeks with Premier League matches against Bournemouth and Manchester City on the horizon alongside the second leg.
The Gunners boss offered an update on his condition late last week, which seemingly confirmed the suggestion he is only playing at 70% 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.”
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