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Mikel Arteta provides Arsenal injury update on Eze, Timber & Saka

By on April 10, 2026

Eberechi Eze arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Eberechi Eze is available to face Bournemouth on Saturday, but Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber remain doubtful.

A series of fitness setbacks has tested Arsenal in the period surrounding the international break, with several issues emerging both before and during that window.

Last weekend’s FA Cup loss to Southampton saw William Saliba, Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and Leandro Trossard all make their returns, with those same players also featuring in Tuesday’s Champions League victory against Sporting.

Focus now shifts back to Premier League duties, where Mikel Arteta continues to deal with a handful of concerns but will be encouraged by Eberechi Eze’s availability for the clash with Bournemouth.

Since sustaining an injury during the second half of Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 return-leg victory over Bayer Leverkusen on March 17, Eze has been absent from action.

Earlier fears had suggested a possible six-week spell on the sidelines, but Arteta confirmed in his pre-match press conference that he has regained full fitness.

He said, ‘He is available. He has [been ahead of schedule]. My first conversation with him after he felt a niggle, he wanted to be available the next week; we knew that was impossible. 

‘But the recovery, the will that he’s shown from day one to get back as quick as possible, how he’s pushed the medical staff and himself to be there tomorrow, it’s just great to watch.’

Saka & Timber update

Both matches against Southampton and Sporting were missed by Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, with the latter also absent for the Carabao Cup final prior to the international break.

During Thursday’s open training session, neither player was seen, while Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori were likewise missing from the group.

At Friday’s pre-match press conference, Arteta offered minimal detail, though he did acknowledge that there had been developments since the previous session—without specifying which individuals had rejoined the squad.

‘Yeah, there have been changes there since yesterday,’ he said cryptically

Pressed further, he added, ‘I don’t know. Some of them.‘

‘There will be changes tomorrow.’

Arsenal will hope to build on their win against Sporting to record their fifth consecutive Premier League victory for the third time this season, an achievement they last reached in the 2013-14 and 2022-23 seasons.