Arsenal injury news: The Gunners have a number of fitness concerns ahead of the Europa League meeting with Sporting CP
Arsenal's attention will turn away from the Premier League for the first time in over a month as they head to Portugal in the Europa League last-16 to face Sporting CP.
Gabriel Jesus is also getting closer to a long-awaited return, although Arteta could be worried about his attacking options in Portugal, with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli the only attackers definitely fully fit. With that said, football.london has compiled all the latest injury news and expected return dates from north London.
Trossard appeared to have picked up some kind of knock before signalling to the coaching staff that he could no longer continue and he was eventually substituted for Emile Smith Rowe in the 22nd minute.
What Arteta has said: "It is a worry, he came to me straight away and said he couldn't continue, he'd felt something when he was tracking back, so we had to take him off", the Spaniard said when asked what had happened to the talented attacker. "We'll assess him and see how he is."
Expected return date: N/A
Eddie Nketiah had found himself on the bench for recent wins over Leicester and Everton following a slight drop in form. Arsenal boss Arteta then confirmed after his substitute appearance against the Toffees that the young striker had suffered with a slight injury concern.
What Arteta has said: "We are assessing him," the Spaniard said in his pre-match press conference. "It's a bit uncertain what will happen with him to be honest in the training sessions.
"Let’s see, let’s keep the options open. He’s very positive about it and hopefully he’ll be fine."
Expected return date: Sporting (A) - March 9
Jorginho started the aforementioned win over Everton ahead of Thomas Partey, although he made way for the former Atletico Madrid man at half-time, with Arteta confirming that the Italian international wasn't feeling 100 per cent after the full-time whistle.
However, he was named on the bench for the win over Bournemouth on Saturday so should be fully fit to start on Thursday if needed.
What Arteta has said: "Jorgi’s [Jorginho] is fine. He had an illness and he put in a great shift but we decided to take him off [vs Everton]."
Expected return date: Sporting (A) - March 9
He then came on for the last ten minutes of the game against Everton in midweek before featuring for nearly an hour against the Cherries, coming on for the injured Leandro Trossard in the 22nd minute he eventually made way for match-winner Reiss Nelson in the second half. After the game, Arteteta confirmed that Smith Rowe was fine, the Spaniard just wanted a different dynamic on the left wing.
What Arteta has said: “We didn’t plan to throw him in so early. We knew it was difficult for him to last 70 minutes on the field after missing nearly five months. But I think he had a good impact but at the end, I felt we needed something else on the left because we were lacking threat and we were attracting more players into that (left) side. That’s why we made the decision to bring Reiss on."
Current fitness status: Fully fit
Having suffered medial ligament damage whilst playing for Brazil against Cameroon in the World Cup group stages, Jesus returned to London to undergo surgery on his knee, with an expectation that he will be out for at least another month of footballing action.
The Gunners are hopeful of having the former Manchester City frontman back in the squad before players head off with their respective nations.
On Saturday, Jesus was pictured in an Arsenal training kit as celebrations took place around him. The reason later became clear as the 25-year-old took part in the warm down session on the pitch at Emirates Stadium with the other unused substitutes.
Arteta has now provided a fresh update on his number nine as he continues to edge closer to making a return.
What Arteta has said: "He's not far now. I don't want to give a timeline but he's doing certain things with the team, certain things outside the team. He's not very close but he is not far at all.
"He's feeling better every day and the doctors are confident with the way the injury is evolving and we are in a good place with him I think."
Expected return date: March.
Elneny started in the FA Cup win over Oxford United and played the whole 90 minutes. However, the Egyptian was absent for Arteta's squad for the 2-0 win at Tottenham, with a knee issue picked up in training ahead of the clash being assessed. Additionally, there was no place on the bench to face Manchester United.
A club statement last month then confirmed that the former Basel man will be out for an extended period of time, although no timescale was given on his expected return. Elneny has since penned a new deal at Arsenal as he closes in on a return.
Expected return date: N/A