Arsenal handed triple injury boost for Sporting clash but Mikel Arteta rules two stars out

Arsenal handed triple injury boost for Sporting clash but Mikel Arteta rules two stars outArsenal have been hit with a raft of injury concerns in the build-up to their Champions League quarter final first leg against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday nightCommentsSportJohn Cross Chief Football Writer19:31, 06 Apr 2026Updated 19:36, 06 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesMikel Arteta gave an update on Arsenal's injury worries(Image: Rene Nijhuis/Getty Images)Mikel Arteta has been given a huge fitness boost ahead of Arsenal’s make-or-break week.‌Arsenal face Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of the Champions League on Tuesday night. And then just four days later they face Bournemouth with the chance to go 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League.‌Brazil defender Gabriel has been ruled fit to face Sporting after going off in the 2-1 defeat by Southampton on Saturday night, while Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard have also made the trip to Portugal.‌FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook pageREAD MORE: Sporting manager Rui Borges gives Arsenal verdict as season threatens to unravelREAD MORE: Arsenal star told he's 'not what he was' as ex-Gunner talks up two transfers to replace himAnd the injury news is also positive for the weekend with Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber also hoping to return against Bournemouth after injury lay-offs.Arteta said on Saka and Timber: “They haven't travelled and not ready yet, hopefully for the weekend if everything goes well."‌Arsenal are also without Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino, who are long-term injury absentees due to calf and foot injuries respectively.Arsenal have lost back to back games with Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and then lost at Southampton in the FA Cup on Saturday.View 2 ImagesBukayo Saka has not made the trip to Portugal(Image: PA)‌Bizarrely, they have never beaten a Portuguese side away from home in a European knock-out tie. Sporting are hoping to reach...