Arsenal injury update: Confirmed latest on Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori and more

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·8 April 2025

Arsenal injury update: Confirmed latest on Mikel Merino, Riccardo Calafiori and more

Arsenal Injury Update: Gunners Hit by Fresh Setbacks Ahead of Real Madrid Clash

As the Champions League quarter-final looms, Arsenal find themselves clinging to their season with frayed fingertips. The Premier League dream now drifts into the distance after a limp 1-1 draw against Everton, and any aspirations of silverware rest squarely on navigating past Real Madrid — a task that feels Sisyphean even at full strength.

But Arsenal aren’t at full strength. Far from it. Mikel Arteta’s squad has been stripped of several key figures, and the timing is nothing short of cruel. The impending battle with Los Blancos at the Emirates is monumental, but Arteta will be forced to field a side missing some of the campaign’s most influential performers.

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Injury has become a recurring subplot in this story. What was once a tale of progress and potential now reads more like a war report. As Madrid bring back the firepower of Kylian Mbappé and the leadership of Antonio Rüdiger, both cleared to play despite recent disciplinary scrutiny, Arsenal prepare with tape, bandages, and late fitness tests.

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Below is the latest Arsenal injury update, featuring key absentees, player conditions and projected return dates.

Merino Avoids Setback After Double Scare

It was a moment of quiet dread for travelling Arsenal fans at Goodison Park. Mikel Merino, the January arrival whose versatility has offered Arteta much-needed midfield cover, pulled up during the warm-up. Moments later, he was down again, this time after a clash of heads.

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But Merino, stitched and bandaged, soldiered on — an image that captured the fighting spirit Arsenal will need in spades against Madrid. Fortunately, Arteta confirmed post-match that the Spaniard is available for selection on Tuesday.

“(Merino) is fine, I just checked with the doctor,” said Arteta. “He had a cut, so he was bleeding quite a lot in the first half, then he started again, so overall he wasn’t feeling anything.”

Potential return date: Tuesday 8 April vs Real Madrid

Calafiori Faces Lengthy Spell Out

For Riccardo Calafiori, the transition from Serie A promise to Premier League regular has been anything but smooth. Just as he began to adapt, a cruel twist of fate on international duty for Italy derailed his momentum.

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During their Nations League quarter-final defeat to Germany, Calafiori’s knee buckled — the kind of injury that casts doubt on rhythm, recovery, and readiness all at once. The club has remained guarded on timelines, but Arteta admitted that the defender faces “weeks” out.

Potential return date: Unknown

Gabriel’s Season Ends in Surgery

Of all the injury blows, few sting more than the loss of Gabriel Magalhães. Arsenal’s most consistent and commanding presence in the back line has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following hamstring surgery.

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His absence is seismic, not just because of what he offers defensively, but also due to his growing influence in big-game scenarios. Arsenal confirmed the nature of the injury and the procedure via an official statement.

“Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhães has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery.

Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season.”

Potential return date: August 2025

Long-Term Absentees Compound the Crisis

Arsenal’s injury crisis doesn’t end with Gabriel. In fact, it deepens.

Kai Havertz has also been ruled out for the rest of the campaign following his own hamstring surgery. The German international, signed to offer goals and guile in midfield and attack, picked up the issue during Arsenal’s mid-season camp in Dubai. He later posted on Instagram:

“The last few days have been tough to process both physically and mentally. But yesterday was a good day. A successful op and a win.”

“Thanks for all the messages of support over the last few days, it’s really helped. I’m now focused on my journey to full fitness and giving all the support I can give to the team in the background.”

Potential return date: Summer 2025

Similarly, Takehiro Tomiyasu has endured a stop-start campaign, with injuries sidelining him for all but six minutes of action this season. After undergoing knee surgery in February, the Japan international will also not feature again until next season.

“I’ve had a surgery on my knee few days ago and I’ve already started my rehab to do what I love the most again.

It has been the toughest period in my career for sure and it carries on a bit more but I won’t give up. Thank you for your support and see you again.”

Potential return date: Summer 2025

Finally, there’s Gabriel Jesus. Once the beating heart of Arsenal’s front line, the Brazilian’s campaign has been marred by another serious knee injury, and his recovery is expected to stretch well into next season.

Potential return date: Late 2025

Can Arsenal Cope?

This is where strategy meets suffering. Arteta has built a side designed for high control and quick transitions, but without key pieces in defence and attack, the margins shrink. Madrid, imperious and clinical, will smell vulnerability.

Yet Arsenal have, in pockets, shown resilience. The kind that transcends talent. The kind that forces every player, from Merino to Trossard, to operate at the outer edge of their ability.

The Emirates will roar. The stakes demand it. But whether Arsenal have enough, amid this injury-ravaged reality, remains one of the season’s most compelling questions.