Arsenal injuries: Fitness updates and return dates during March international break

Arsenal remain in the hunt for two major trophies approaching the end of the 2023/24 season.

The Gunners sit at the top of the Premier League table on goal difference and made it through to the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will take on Bayern Munich, after edging past Porto on penalties in the last 16.

The injury situation is pretty positive for Mikel Arteta, too. Only a couple of first-team stars have significant knocks for the club to monitor heading into the run-in.

Here are the latest injury updates at Arsenal.

Gabriel Martinelli

What injury does Gabriel Martinelli have?

There were fears of a serious injury to Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli when he was hauled off with a foot cut just over an hour into Arsenal's 6-0 victory over Sheffield United earlier this month.

"[Saka] was feeling a bit sick and as well we have Fabio [Vieira] who we have to give minutes. It was great opportunity [for us] and then we had a little issue with Gabi Martinelli as well, he had a slight cut on his foot and we have to wait and see how he is," Arteta said after the win.

Martinelli was then spotted on crutches in the aftermath of Arsenal's 2-1 success over Brentford earlier this month, though that measure it thought to have been precautionary to ensure the cut to his foot heals.

Speaking ahead of the Gunners' ultimately successful Champions League last-16 second leg against Porto, Arteta said: "Not many updates - we still have 24 hours and we're trying to have everybody fit and available. He [Tomiyasu] did the first part, Gabi didn't, but that's what we're hoping for [Tomi to be involved]."

Martinelli withdrew from the Brazil squad for their March internationals against England and Spain in Europe, with other Selecao stars like Ederson and Marquinhos also dropping out after suffering knocks.

When could Gabriel Martinelli return from injury?

There is hope Martinelli will recover from his foot cut in time to feature in Arsenal's huge Premier League title clash with Manchester City on Sunday 31 March once the international break is over.

The former Ituano star scored the decisive goal when the two sides met at the Emirates Stadium back in October, netting in the 86th minute as Arteta earned just his second league win against former colleague Pep Guardiola.

The 22-year-old has featured in 25 Premier League matches so far this season, contributing six goals and four assists from the left wing. He also appeared in the Champions League four times, scoring against Sevilla and Lens.

Jurrien Timber

What injury does Jurrien Timber have?

Dutch defender Jurrien Timber made the most unfortunate start to his Arsenal career possible when he was downed by an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his Premier League debut against Nottingham Forest in August.

The versatile 22-year-old was playing at left-back, having featured in the same position during the Community Shield victory over Man City little under a week before facing Forest. A battle with Brennan Johnson - now at Tottenham - left Timber limping and he eventually made way in the 50th minute.

Speaking after the game, Arteta revealed: "The doctors looked at him and they were happy for him to continue, he was as well.

"Straight away in the first action of the second half he made a movement and it was a bit funny. We took him out straight after and now we have to assess him and see what he has."

It was then revealed Timber would undergo surgery, with the former Ajax defender admitting his disappointment on social media.

He wrote: "Gutted to share my injury is more serious than expected, especially after the warm welcome I've received. I wanted to repay you on the pitch, which will not be possible for the forthcoming period. Thanks for making me feel at home and see you at The Carpet."

When could Jurrien Timber return from injury?

The nature of Timber's knee injury means he has missed the majority of his debut season in England.

Having enjoyed a largely-free start to his professional career, Timber has now missed 39 Arsenal games since his August injury but there is plenty of optimism about his prospects of featuring in the final few months of the 2023/24 season.

He rejoined parts of team training in February, with Arteta revealing hope of Timber's return before the campaign closes.

The Spaniard said: "He's been around some players on the pitch and we are going to start to do some bits with us in the next week or so. Then we need to see how that evolves, his confidence levels, his fitness levels."

Arsenal also added Timber to their Champions League squad in early February, with the Gunners set to take on Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals in April after squeezing past Porto on penalties in the last 16.

He could be available for those matches, but failing that, Timber may return during Arsenal's last five games of the league season, where the title hopefuls face Wolves, Tottenham, Bournemouth, Manchester United and Everton.

Gabriel

What injury does Gabriel have?

Gabriel has been ubiquitous for the Gunners this season having been excluded from the starting XI to start the campaign.

The absence of William Saliba killed Arsenal down the stretch last season, and they need both of their starting centre-backs available for the run-in.

However, there are some concerns over Gabriel's fitness. The Brazilian international has avoided any notable setbacks since joining the club, and the Gunners will hope that the reported foot injury which kept him out of the March internationals is only a minor issue.

When could Gabriel return from injury?

Not much has been disclosed regarding Gabriel's injury, but it's believed that the defender withdrew from the Brazil squad for their March friendlies as a pre-caution.

As it stands, Gabriel isn't expected to miss any time for Arsenal and he should be fit to face Man City on Sunday.

Bukayo Saka

What injury does Bukayo Saka have?

Arteta has relied on Saka heavily again this season, with the winger again rarely rested. He burned out down the stretch last term, and Arsenal will hope that this two-week breather will do him good.

The Englishman has dealt with multiple niggles this term, and he turned up to international duty with a muscle injury.

He's since withdrawn from the England squad but his setback is thought to be minor.

When could Bukayo Saka return from injury?

With his muscle injury believed to be minor and the significance of Arsenal's trip to the Etihad, it'd be a big surprise if Saka isn't included in Sunday's starting XI.

While there are more concerns over Martinelli's foot and if it's too soon for Timber to return to the fold, there shouldn't be much stress over their starboy. He's not going to miss a game of this magnitude.

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