Arsenal get three key players back a day before first leg of Champions League quarterfinal in Lisbon
Arsenal have seen two titles slip through their fingers in the last two matches they have played but they will look to stop the skidding in the Champions League.
In what’s been a nightmare of a last two weeks, there might be some light at the end of the tunnel for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal. After two consecutive losses that cost them two titles, they are set to get a handful of players back for their Champions League tie against Sporting Lisbon.
From quadruple to double in two games
Before the international break Arsenal were dealt a devastating blow in the Carabao Cup, losing to Manchester City 2-0. Upon their return from the break, they were stunned by Southampton in the FA Cup, as dreams of a historic quadruple suddenly vanished.
Arsenal players in training ahead of Sporting CP in the Champions League:
— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) April 6, 2026
• Leandro Trossard ✅
• Gabriel Magalhães ✅
• Bukayo Saka ❌
• Declan Rice ✅
• Eberechi Eze ❌
• Piero Hincapié ❌
• Jurrien Timber ❌
Worth noting that this is the only first 15 minutes of the… pic.twitter.com/fxxthoRgSD
With two titles available, they turn their attention to the Champions League first. They are in the quarterfinals against Sporting Lisbon, and are desperate to stop the losing skid. Mikel Arteta will see his side bolstered with the return of some key players before the first leg in Portugal. Gabriel was forced to exit the FA Cup loss to Southampton on Saturday, but returned to training on Monday before the squad hopped a plane for Lisbon.
Whether or not the Brazilian defender will be in the XI of Arteta on Tuesday in Lisbon remains to be seen, but the leg injury he suffered over the weekend only seems to have only been a minor scare.
Saka a doubt
Meanwhile Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard also returned to training after missing the FA Cup match on Saturday. It was a risk taken by Arteta, with hopes that his top guys would be fit for the first leg of the Champions League quarters. The risk proved costly in the Cup, but getting Trossard and Rice back for Tuesday’s match is going to be vital in the Gunner’s chase for the double.
Bring the fight. pic.twitter.com/gJXYudXK2p
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 5, 2026
It’s not all good news for Arteta, who was without Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber in Monday’s training session. Timber has been out since mid March after picking up a knock against Everton while Saka went to the England camp during the international break but returned home early with an injury.
Arsenal know they must stop the bleeding after what has been a painful last couple of weeks. The opening leg in Lisbon is their chance to get back on track for the final month of the season, and Arteta knows he has to make do with what he has available. “We are in a position right now where we need to make the strongest line-up we possibly can to win every competition.”
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