LATEST UPDATES》, Rice, Timber – Arsenal injury news and return dates before Real Madrid second leg

The very latest Arsenal injury news following their excellent Champions League win against Real Madrid with a triple worry emerging.

Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both picked up minor injuries against Real Madrid. (Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images))

Mikel Arteta has seen some fresh Arsenal injury worries emerge following the club’s stunning Champions League quarter-final first leg triumph over Real Madrid at the Emirates Stadium.

Two superb Declan Rice free-kicks and a precise left-footed effort from Mikel Merino has put the Gunners firmly in control of the tie, but Arteta could potentially be without three key players for the second leg. Early into the clash, Jurrien Timber appeared to pick up a knock and although he continued, Ben White eventually replaced him late on.

Prior to that, Bukayo Saka and Rice were withdrawn after, seemingly, suffering minor issues with Arteta confirming as such after the game. It does not currently look as though either will miss the second leg, but their availability for the weekend’s clash against Brentford is unclear.

With that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest Arsenal injury news – and return dates – before two games in the next seven days.

Bukayo Saka

Injury: Knock

In his first start since December’s trip to Crystal Palace, Saka hobbled off against Real Madrid in the 74th minute following a foul on him.

What Arteta has said: “Bukayo after he got tackled on the foul I think he had a knock and he had to go. Doesn’t look serious, no.”

Possible return date: Real Madrid (A) – Wednesday, April 16

Declan Rice

Injury: Knock

Following his stunning brace of free-kicks, Rice was taken off by Arteta after appearing to suffer a minor injury.

What Arteta has said: “I think Declan had an issue with the foot – I don’t know if it was a tackle or what it was. Doesn’t look serious, no.”

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Possible return date: Real Madrid (A) – Wednesday, April 16

Jurrien Timber

Injury: Knock

Timber went down in the first half, but he was able to continue until Arteta brought him off for Ben White with minutes to play. It’s unlikely he starts against Brentford this weekend.

Possible return date: Real Madrid (A) – Wednesday, April 16

Gabriel Magalhaes

Injury: Hamstring

Gabriel will not play again this season after undergoing surgery on a hamstring issue suffered in the win against Fulham earlier this month.

What Arteta has said: “It was a tough one to digest because [we] just got Bukayo back and lose Gabi. The team reacted like they have all season, very proud. We know he’ll be out a while, so we need to find different solutions and keep competing like we have all season.”

Possible return date: Summer 2025

Riccardo Calafiori

Injury: Knee

Calafiori has missed the last few games for Arsenal with a knee injury picked up on international duty, but he is expected back soon.

What Arteta has said: “Calafiori unfortunately picked up a knee injury with his national team. It was unfortunate how that injury happened, but it could have been much worse.

“So, hopefully, it’s going to be a matter of weeks. But we have to see how the injury evolves.”

Possible return date: Late April

Kai Havertz

Injury: Hamstring

Havertz tore his hamstring during the Dubai training camp in February and was forced to undergo surgery.

What Arteta has said: “We were having a great camp in Dubai recharging, training, having some time off and connecting again with nature in a different environment – then the injury happened in a very unexpected way.”

Possible return date: Pre-season

Gabriel Jesus

Injury: Knee

Jesus damaged his ACL during the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United and subsequently had an operation to fix the problem.

What Arteta has said: “We know more now, and it’s not looking good at all. We need to review with one more specialist, so we will probably have better information this afternoon. I don’t want to confirm anything until we’ve had the final report. It’s the doctor’s job to do that, but we were very worried straight away after the game, and we are very worried today.”

Possible return date: October 2025

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Injury: Knee

Tomiyasu has also undergone knee surgery with an issue seeing him feature for just seven minutes this season.

Possible return date: December 2025