{"id":4112,"date":"2026-04-09T16:26:36","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T16:26:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=4112"},"modified":"2026-04-09T16:26:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T16:26:36","slug":"arsenal-star-makes-unexpected-return-to-training-in-big-title-race-boost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=4112","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal star makes unexpected return to training in big title race boost"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_09e96c\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Injuries had been mounting up for Mikel Arteta in recent weeks, but the Arsenal manager has received a huge boost in time for some crucial matches<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36989744\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - APRIL 03: Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta during the Arsenal Women training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on April 03, 2026 in London Colney, England.  (Photo by David Price\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36989744.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Arsenal-Training-Session.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36989744.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Arsenal-Training-Session.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36989744.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Arsenal-Training-Session.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36989744.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Arsenal-Training-Session.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mikel Arteta has received a massive injury boost\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mikel Arteta has received a massive injury boost<cite aria-label=\"Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: David Price, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Eberechi Eze has made a welcome return to Arsenal training, delivering a massive lift to the Gunners. Concerns had been mounting the summer recruit from Crystal Palace faced a lengthy spell on the side-lines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Having picked up a calf problem just before the international break, speculation suggested Eze could be sidelined for up to six weeks. However, in a live stream of Thursday&#8217;s training session, broadcast via the club&#8217;s official app, Eze was seen taking full part with his teammates.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to feature in Arsenal&#8217;s Premier League home fixture against AFC Bournemouth this weekend. Nevertheless, his return to training hints he could be in contention for the pivotal away trip to Manchester City the following week.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_4f362a\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Man Utd face handing over millions to Man City after Elliot Anderson decision<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_4f362a\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arsenal news: Viktor Gyokeres transfer feelings clear as Brazilian wonderkid eyed<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Goals and clear-cut opportunities have been in short supply for the Gunners, most notably during their FA Cup defeat to Southampton, since Eze sustained his injury. They also struggled to break down Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League, though Gabriel Martinelli&#8217;s pinpoint pass to Kai Havertz proved the difference as Arsenal edged the Portuguese outfit 1-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">There was one worrying setback from the Sporting clash, however, as Martin Odegaard was forced off during the match after picking up an injury. The skipper was among a number of players absent from training today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Alongside Odegaard; Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie were also absent from training today. Calafiori played the full 90 minutes against Sporting and it is understood the Italian sat out the session purely for rest and recovery purposes, reports <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.football.london\/arsenal-fc\/players\/arsenal-injury-update-bournemouth-arteta-33739876\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Football London<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36989741\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36989741\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Eberechi Eze of Arsenal FC gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Arsenal Stadium on March 17, 2026 in London, United Kingdom\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36989741.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2266782024.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36989741.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2266782024.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36989741.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2266782024.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36989741.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2266782024.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"A prompt return for Eze would be huge for Arsenal\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">A prompt return for Eze would be huge for Arsenal<cite aria-label=\"Image: 2026 DeFodi Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: 2026 DeFodi Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Meanwhile, Saka has been absent from Arsenal&#8217;s line-up since the League Cup final, while Hincapie is reportedly facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during the international break. These are all concerns Arteta must navigate as the Gunners enter the final seven games of their Premier League campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Spaniard will at least take some heart after his side bounced back from the League Cup final defeat to City and the surprising FA Cup exit to Southampton by securing a crucial 1-0 away win over Sporting. Following the match, the Gunners boss said: &#8220;Extremely happy, obviously.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;It was a big night, a big moment in the season. Especially where we&#8217;re coming from. I think we had a point to prove. And yesterday I talked about identity and the things that I wanted to see on that pitch. It certainly happened.<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"embed-placeholder\" class=\"EmbedPlaceholder_figure__NLMFl undefined false\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" viewbox=\"0 0 90 90\" fill=\"none\" data-testid=\"consent-placeholder-icon\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_10846_5865)\"><circle opacity=\"0.16\" cx=\"45\" cy=\"45\" r=\"33.75\" fill=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\"\/><path d=\"M21.1351 21.1351C15.0276 27.2427 11.25 35.6802 11.25 45C11.25 63.6396 26.3604 78.75 45 78.75C54.3198 78.75 62.7573 74.9724 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351C27.2427 15.0276 35.6802 11.25 45 11.25C63.6396 11.25 78.75 26.3604 78.75 45C78.75 54.3198 74.9724 62.7573 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351L68.8649 68.8649\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\" stroke-width=\"7.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/g><defs><clippath id=\"clip0_10846_5865\"><rect width=\"90\" height=\"90\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg><figcaption>Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Certainly, there was a shift there. And then we played our opponent. It&#8217;s very tricky, very difficult to play. That&#8217;s the reason why they won 17 games in a row here. They haven&#8217;t lost for a long, long time and really had to earn it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;We had moments of real dominance with a lot of situations in and around the box without creating enough threat sometimes. Lacking to be a bit crispier, the movement a bit sharper, the final ball. But we took the game where we wanted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;But after saying that, we knew as well that it&#8217;s a team extremely dangerous when they have space to run, and they have two situations where David (Raya) had to intervene in a brilliant way. And then, again, the story of the season, the finish is coming when the most important part of the game is about to happen and then make the difference for us to go and win it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. 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