Leandro Trossard was forced off with injury during Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth round win over Mansfield Town (Image: Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta was dealt two significant injury blows during Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth-round win away at Mansfield Town. Noni Madueke had put the Gunners ahead before Ollie Evans levelled just after the interval, only for Eberechi Eze to net the decisive goal 15 minutes later.
Either side of Arsenal’s two goals, Arteta was forced to make two substitutions with Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard both sustaining injuries. The latter was forced off late in the first half after holding the top of his leg, whilst Calafiori experienced hamstring discomfort following a clearance in the second half.
Arteta provided updates on the pair after match, disclosing that Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi are “carrying issues” and that the trio were all omitted from the squad to aid their recovery. Martin Odegaard and William Saliba were also absent for the journey to Mansfield.
The first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Bayer Leverkusen is scheduled for this coming Wednesday, with the return leg at the Emirates Stadium the following Tuesday, after Arsenal entertain Everton in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
With all that in mind, we have examined the latest updates on Arsenal’s injured players and when they might return.
Trossard was substituted in the 38th minute of Arsenal’s FA Cup victory over Mansfield. He went down off the ball and after receiving treatment, was withdrawn for Piero Hincapie.
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What Arteta has said: “Both of them [Trossard and Calafiori], they had little niggles. They were not comfortable to continue. And I knew that this could be a possibility, especially in the conditions that we’re playing today. So we had to take them off.”
Possible return date: N/A.
Calafiori was also taken off at One Call Stadium after experiencing hamstring discomfort whilst striking the ball upfield.
What Arteta has said: “Both of them [Trossard and Calafiori], they had little niggles. They were not comfortable to continue. And I knew that this could be a possibility, especially in the conditions that we’re playing today. So we had to take them off.”
Possible return date: N/A.
Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal goes down with an injury. (Image: Getty Images)
Odegaard has been missing for Arsenal’s two fixtures this week and last weekend’s triumph over Chelsea. The Gunners skipper has featured from the start in only two matches across the past five weeks, with a knee complaint troubling him since the stalemate with Brentford.
What Arteta has said: “Maybe [to play against Brighton], we will see how comfortable he is in certain actions.”
Possible return date: Bayer Leverkusen (H) – Tuesday, March 24.
An ankle complaint has forced Saliba to sit out matches against Brighton and Mansfield but there is optimism he can rejoin the starting XI in Germany next week. What Arteta has said: “He turned his ankle against Chelsea. He managed to finish the game somehow, but he was too sore to play today.
“No, it’s the other [ankle]. We thought the same after the game. He wasn’t comfortable to finish the game and after that away he didn’t have a good feeling. So let’s see if he recovers quickly.”
Possible return date: Bayer Leverkusen (A) – Wednesday, March 11.
Rice missed training on Friday, along with several first-team players, after being forced off in the 2-1 win over Chelsea.
The England international was spotted grimacing, trying to stop a counter, and was replaced by Christian Norgaard. Arteta played down any significant injury but Rice was not in the squad at Mansfield, he could be back for the upcoming Champions League tie.
Possible return date: Bayer Leverkusen (A) – Wednesday, March 11.
Merino had surgery on a fractured foot earlier this year and it is expected to keep him out of action until the closing stages of this campaign.
What Arteta has said: “Well, I think the doctors were really happy the way it went. Yeah, now it starts. Obviously, it’s a long process. You’re talking about bone healing, so you need to be patient.
“You respect the timings, and I’m sure Mikel is going to do everything that he possibly can to speed up the process. We’re talking about months, whether it’s three, four or five, we don’t know.”
Possible return date: May.