Mikel Arteta fears Arsenal could be missing FOUR defenders for Real Madrid clash

Gabriel limped off with a hamstring injury just 16 minutes into the Premier League win over Fulham, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has mounting problems at the back

Bukayo Saka made a fairytale return - but Arsenal suffered an injury horror story. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta fears he could be without FOUR defenders for the Champions League quarter final with Real Madrid.

Arsenal defender Gabriel hobbled off with a hamstring injury, Jurrien Timber suffered a knee injury and Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori are also major doubts with knee injuries. That took the gloss off Saka’s goalscoring return as the Arsenal star scored just six minutes and 36 seconds after coming on as a substitute after 100 days out injured.

Arteta was cursing his luck with just a week before Arsenal face Real Madrid with Kylian Mbappe and Co leading their attack. Arteta said: “Gabi felt something in his hamstring. We don't know how big that is and with Jurrien as well. He was already struggling very early in the game. He managed to continue, at some point he couldn't. So that's the downside to it.

“The good thing is that it's been like this the whole season. How we have managed to be where we are with all those injuries, Ben White hasn't participated at all this season. It's what it is.

“You can imagine with those four players in the defensive line in one week. So Calafiori, Ben White, Jurrien and Gabriel. We have still another four that are so bloody willing that they will do their job. We want it so much that we're going to give it a real go and we are very excited for the next week.”

Arteta did, however, praise fit-again Saka and the way that he immediately celebrated his goal by rushing over to the bench to celebrate with the medical staff who helped his rehabilitation after a hamstring injury.

Arteta added: “I think a beautiful moment to see how much our people love, respect and admire Bukayo. He's not a surprise to any of us and I think the best example is his reaction. Immediately after scoring a goal, what does he do?

“He goes and says thank you for all the hard work that all the sports science guys, physios and everybody involved in the recovery have done for him to be able to be in the condition that he is. I think he lifted the stadium, the energy and great to have him back.”

Fulham boss Marco Silva, whose side crashed out of the FA Cup on Saturday, said: “First half, I agree we were a bit flat. But I cannot blame that on what happened on Saturday and I will not go in that direction.

“We were more competitive in the second half and we have to lift ourselves and keep fighting for the rest of the season.”

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