The latest Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of the Gunners’ trip to FC Porto in the Champions League, with updates on Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Sergio Conceicao’s Dragoes await Mikel Arteta’s team on Wednesday night as Arsenal return to the knockout stages of UEFA’s elite club competition. Arsenal have not featured in the last 16 of the Champions League since 2016/17 and have not advanced beyond it since 2009/10.
So, Arteta will now try to achieve what Arsene Wenger could not over each of Arsenal’s past seven appearances in the round of 16. The Gunners reached the quarter-finals the last time that they won their last 16 tie. Arsenal also beat Porto 6-2 during the round of 16 that term.
Arsenal injury list ahead of visiting FC Porto
Porto won the first leg of their last 16 match-up with Arsenal 2-1 in February 2010. But a 5-0 result at Emirates Stadium secured Wenger’s side progression after also topping their group. Arteta led Arsenal to the top of Group B this term with 13 points from a possible 18 on offer.
Conceicao’s Dragoes sealed second spot in Group H this season but only missed out on the top spot to FC Barcelona due to their head-to-head record. The Estadio do Dragao side also sit third in Liga Portugal after 22 fixtures, having won 15 and drawn three, so far this season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, fly to Portugal after sealing second in the Premier League table after 25 games. The Gunners have also won each of their last five games with an aggregate scoreline of 21-2. But Arteta has a handful of injury concerns ahead of Arsenal visiting Porto, as well…
Thomas Partey injury latest
Arteta landed a welcome injury boost on Tuesday with Thomas Partey able to partake in the initial training sessions at London Colney ahead of Arsenal travelling to Porto. Partey has not featured with the Gunners since the start of October after suffering a thigh injury in training.
Partey suffered the blow ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League group stage tie at Sevilla just days after returning from a groin injury. The thigh problem ultimately saw Partey undergo a minor procedure which sidelined him from representing Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations.
A further setback also ensured Partey has missed Arsenal’s fixtures throughout February. He has only featured five times for 341 minutes all term with only four Premier League outings. The midfielder also made his three top-flight starts so far this term as a right-back in August.
Expected return: FC Porto (February 21)
Fabio Vieira injury latest
Arsenal also saw Fabio Vieira step up his recovery from a groin injury during training ahead of flying to Porto. The 23-year-old has not featured since he received a red card at home to Burnley in November. He suffered the injury in training early on during his three-game ban.
Vieira underwent surgery for the groin problem, as well, but has made inroads into a return since Arsenal’s winter break. He joined Arteta’s squad in Dubai and has continued to close in on a full return. Now, Vieira may return at Porto, who Arsenal signed him from in June 2022.
Expected return: FC Porto (February 21)
Gabriel Jesus injury latest
Arsenal have been without Jesus for their past three games following another aggravation of the knee injury he initially sustained at the 2022 World Cup. Arteta originally suggested that it was only a minor aggravation and he could return when Arsenal visit Porto on Wednesday.
Jesus has not featured for the north London team since scoring and assisting in their 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest. The 26-year-old’s efforts took him to eight goals and five assists in 23 games this term. The Brazilian also struck four of his goals plus two assists in five UEFA ties.
A trip to Porto may come too soon for Jesus, though, as he was not seen in the first stage of training on Tuesday. Any involvement in their Champions League last 16 tie could, therefore, only be from Arteta’s bench if Jesus is involved in Arsenal’s matchday team, if at all, at Porto.
Expected return: Newcastle United (February 24)
Takehiro Tomiyasu injury latest
Arteta is yet to include Takehiro Tomiyasu in a matchday side since the 25-year-old returned from the Asian Cup. He developed a minor calf injury while helping Japan reach the quarter-finals as a key central defensive presence. But it is unlikely to keep the full-back out for long.
The injury means Tomiyasu has not featured for Arsenal ahead of their trip to Porto since he faced Fulham on New Year’s Eve. A cameo at Craven Cottage also marked his return from an earlier calf injury. Tomiyasu suffered his previous problem against Wolves in early December.
Tomiyasu, like Jesus, was also not seen during the first stage of training this Tuesday ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Porto. So, Arteta may have to again rely on Cedric Soares for experienced cover for Ben White. The Portuguese featured in Arsenal’s last two Premier League matches.
Expected return: Newcastle United (February 24)
Oleksandr Zinchenko injury latest
Arsenal have also been without Zinchenko for their last two Premier League games due to a calf injury. The 27-year-old initially fought to play through the injury but Arteta took him off at half-time against Liverpool. But he has since shown progress in training at London Colney.
But Zinchenko was another absentee during the first stage of training on Tuesday with Jesus and Tomiyasu. He was close to making a return to action before Arsenal beat Burnley 5-0 at Turf Moor on Saturday. So, Arteta will now hope that Zinchenko has not sustained a setback.
Expected return: Newcastle United (February 24)
Jurrien Timber injury latest
Arsenal included Jurrien Timber in their Champions League squad list and could, finally, get him back when Porto visit Emirates Stadium next month. The 22-year-old has not appeared since the opening day of the Premier League season after needing surgery for an ACL injury.
Timber suffered the blow just 50 minutes into his English top-flight debut after joining from AFC Ajax last summer. But he has been involved in light ball work in training with a return to action edging closer. Arsenal are playing his return with extreme care to avoid another issue.
Expected return: FC Porto (March 12)
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