Mikel Arteta provides injury updates on Gabriel, Declan Rice & Bukayo Saka | OneFootball

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has played down concerns about the fitness of Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice while providing a clearer picture of Gabriel's recovery timeline.

Rice was the hero of a night to remember at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, scoring two stunning free-kick goals in a deserved 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.

Bukayo Saka, who was making his first start in three-and-a-half months, won both free kicks which Rice scored. The penetrative winger lasted 74 minutes before sinking to the turf and gesturing for a substitution. Rice followed soon after, limping off after receiving medical treatment on the pitch.

Arsenal have been plagued by fitness concerns all season but Arteta was keen to stress that no more names had been added to the list of absentees just yet. "Rice has a minor foot problem, and Saka has a knock," the Gunners boss told reporters after the triumphant outing. "But it doesn't seem serious."

Brazilian centre-back Gabriel was forced to watch the action unfold from an executive box while nursing a hamstring injury. The club confirmed that the defender required surgery and various reports ruled him out for the remainder of the season. Arteta clarified that Gabriel would be sidelined for four months, ensuring that he should be available for the start of the 2025/26 campaign in August.

"It's been a season where we've had to adapt constantly. We've gone through a lot of things. We've lost probably our best defender [Gabriel] for four months but Jakub [Kiwior] comes in and delivers the performances that he's been delivering," Arteta said.

"It's not a coincidence. The way they train, the way they apply themselves, and the way they help each other. I think it produces these moments [against Real Madrid]."

Arsenal host Brentford on Saturday before travelling to Madrid for the second leg of their quarter-final next Wednesday.