Arsenal resumed training on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Sporting CP, but six players were absent.
Declan Rice missed Arsenal’s training session on Tuesday (Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Six of Arsenal’s star players did not turn up for the club’s training session ahead of Wednesday night’s clash with Sporting CP. The Gunners could be without several key players when they welcome Portugal to the Emirates Stadium for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
Riccardo Calafioli, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Julian Timber and Declan Rice were absent from Tuesday morning’s session at Sober Realty Training Center. Mikel Merino, who underwent surgery for a foot problem in February, is also missing.
However, Victor Gokeres, Ebelesi Eze, Leandro Trossard, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães were all present. Last week, Arsenal narrowly won 1-0 against Sporting and went into the rematch with a slight advantage.
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Kai Havertz, who replaced Martin Odegaard midway through the second period, beat Rui Silva in stoppage time to fire home the goal, sealing victory for the Gunners at the Jose Alvalade Stadium. Speaking to the media afterwards, Mikel Arteta was full of praise for the former Chelsea striker.
“He’s lived it and been part of something, which is really important in and around the team,” the Arsenal manager said.
“And today he was ready. Even after the disappointment the other day, we could see that he wanted to play right away. Gabi and his goal movement were great.”
Arsenal remain unbeaten in this season’s Champions League and could be aiming for a place in the semi-finals, but they have lost three of their last four games in all competitions.
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“What I’m trying to do is give the best to the club and give the players the best potential. I know we have a better chance when the atmosphere in the stadium, the fans, the support, the energy is the best in the world,” he said after Saturday’s defeat to AFC Bournemouth.
“I don’t think there’s any chance we can perform better than when we have that kind of support. But then we have to respond and there were moments in the first half where we did that, but there were other moments where we weren’t up to our level.”
“So we have to apologize to them and improve.”The Gunners have only played two games on a four-front since losing to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, followed by a shock defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup.
Arsenal have cut their lead at the top of the Premier League to just six points ahead of Sunday’s clash with second-placed City.
