Arsenal Lose Saka and Timber for Champions League Quarter-Final Against Sporting CP
Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing side head to Lisbon without two of their most important players as an injury crisis deepens at the worst possible time.
- Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber will miss Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Sporting CP.
- Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed neither player travelled to Portugal on Monday.
- Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhães, and Leandro Trossard are all fit and available for the tie.
- Arsenal have now suffered five senior absentees for a game that could define their entire season.
LONDON, England — April 7, 2026 — Arsenal have been dealt a double injury blow with Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber both ruled out of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg away at Sporting CP, leaving Mikel Arteta scrambling to reshape his attack at the most critical point of the season.
The absences compound a punishing week for the Gunners, who were knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday after a 2–1 defeat to Southampton — their second cup exit in the space of days following the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.
With the Premier League title race still very much alive, Arsenal cannot afford for injuries to derail their momentum — yet that is precisely what is happening at London Colney.
“They haven’t travelled. They’re not ready yet. Hopefully, they’re going to be ready for the weekend if everything goes well.” — Mikel Arteta, Arsenal manager, at his pre-match press conference in Lisbon
How the Injuries Happened
Saka withdrew from the England squad during the international break with an undisclosed problem and was not seen in training at London Colney on Monday morning.
Timber pulled out of the Netherlands squad with a reported groin concern before the break began, having also missed the Carabao Cup final with an ankle issue, and has been recovering at the club’s training ground rather than travelling with the squad.
Full Arsenal Injury Picture
| Player | Issue | Status vs Sporting | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bukayo Saka | Undisclosed | OUT | vs Bournemouth (Apr. 11) |
| Jurrien Timber | Groin concern | OUT | vs Bournemouth (Apr. 11) |
| Piero Hincapie | Unspecified | OUT | TBC |
| Mikel Merino | Foot surgery | OUT | TBC |
| Eberechi Eze | Calf | OUT | TBC |
| Declan Rice | Minor issue | FIT | Available now |
| Gabriel Magalhães | Knee knock | FIT | Available now |
| Leandro Trossard | Unspecified | FIT | Available now |
Cover Options in Attack
With Saka out on the right wing, Noni Madueke is the most likely replacement after being given the all-clear to come off the bench against Southampton following his own injury scare on England duty.
Sixteen-year-old Max Dowman, who was hailed as Arsenal’s standout performer in that FA Cup defeat despite the result, is another option — though the scale of a Champions League quarter-final makes Madueke the probable starter.
Viktor Gyokeres, signed from Sporting in the summer, could make his first start for the club in what would be a charged personal subplot — returning to the ground where he spent two successful seasons before his move to north London.
The Bigger Picture
According to Sky Sports, Arteta is facing genuine selection dilemmas across the pitch as he attempts to navigate a congested and pivotal run of fixtures with a thinned-out squad.
Arsenal have never won the Champions League and have not reached a semi-final since 2009. Reaching the last four this season would represent a landmark achievement under Arteta’s tenure.
As reported by The Sun, the timing of these absentees — stacked on top of consecutive cup defeats — has unsettled supporters and handed rivals a reason for optimism.
“That’s a massive boost because in recent days, we lost so many important players. And that’s something that we need to change immediately.” — Arteta, on the return to fitness of Rice, Gabriel, and Trossard
Sporting’s Advantage — and Weakness
Sporting arrive in strong domestic form, having won their last three matches while scoring at least four goals in each.
However, their captain and midfield anchor Morten Hjulmand serves a one-match suspension and will miss the first leg — a significant structural loss for a side that relies heavily on his ability to screen the defence and distribute from deep.
Arsenal have no players suspended for the tie, though two Gunners will miss the return fixture at the Emirates if they collect bookings on Tuesday night.
Arteta’s Message to His Players
The Arsenal manager addressed the psychological difficulty of the past fortnight head-on in Lisbon, urging his squad to convert disappointment into motivation rather than allow doubt to seep in.
“Feel that pain, feel that emotion and use it to be better and to improve.” — Arteta, speaking to reporters ahead of the Sporting first leg
Arsenal’s season now rests on two fronts: the Premier League title and the Champions League. How they cope without Saka in particular — arguably their most influential and irreplaceable attacking player — will go a long way to defining whether this campaign ends in triumph or falls just short.
Lewis Calvert Founder & Editor, BriefLedger
Lewis founded BriefLedger and has six years of experience covering film, TV, and entertainment news. He leads the site’s Movies and TV sections and runs the news desk — always with a straight-talking British take.
