Saka is still finding his rhythm after a grueling injury layoff, the England international remains on a “day-to-day” recovery plan as Arsenal prioritize his long-term match fitness.

Eze, despite an early exit against Newcastle over the weekend, was cleared to travel. However, Arteta has chosen to utilize him as a secondary option rather than a starter.

The decision to bench the duo is a calculated gamble. With Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber already ruled out for this crucial away fixture, Arsenal’s depth will be tested early, and you can find every highlight of thos crucial game in our liveblog coverage.

Saka progressing in recovery

Bukayo Saka has been hampered by a lingering Achilles injury dating back to the Carabao Cup final on March 22. Since then, Arteta has been cautious with the winger’s minutes, opting for a rest-heavy regimen to ensure his star man is fit for the season’s stretch run.

While Saka made a brief cameo in the victory over Newcastle, he appeared to be playing through visible discomfort. Now, with Saka back in the matchday squad, Arteta is looking for the 24-year-old to rediscover the world-class form that defines the Arsenal attack against Atletico.

The Saka-Eze connection

Arsenal fans are eager to see Eze and Saka share the pitch once again, a sight that has been rare of late due to the injury bug. While both were available for the Newcastle fixture, their time on the pitch didn’t overlap; Eze was forced off with an injury before Saka entered for the final 10-minute shift.

The duo hasn’t started a match together since March 17. In that outing, the chemistry was on full display. Eze found the back of the net before his premature exit. And Saka earned a stellar 8.0 match rating for his creative output.

With both playmakers fighting for full fitness, the big question at the Riyahd Metropolitano today is whether Arteta will finally unleash them on the field at some point of the Champions League semifinal.

Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that neither player was available for selection ahead of the trip to Lisbon, forcing the team to adjust its attacking setup for one of the most important matches of their season.

According to reports, the club has been cautious with their recovery. With both players unavailable, the head coach must rely on squad depth and tactical adjustments to keep Arsenal competitive in the first leg away from home.

How did Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze get injured?

According to multiple team updates ahead of kickoff, Bukayo Saka’s issue is linked to muscle fatigue and a recurring lower-body problem that has forced him to miss training sessions and previous matches, including international duty.

The club has been managing his workload carefully after a demanding stretch across domestic and European competitions. Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze’s absence is the result of a calf-related injury that flared up after he was forced off during a recent match.

Reports indicate that the midfielder had been dealing with discomfort for several days, and the medical staff ultimately decided he was not fit enough to travel with the squad for this crucial European fixture.

When will Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze return to play?

Bukayo Saka is expected to return in the short term, potentially within the next matchweek, while Eberechi Eze’s recovery timeline remains less certain and will depend on his rehabilitation progress.

For Saka, internal club expectations suggest a possible return for the second leg of the Champions League tie or the following Premier League fixture. Arsenal are taking a cautious approach, prioritizing full recovery over rushed availability.

Eze’s situation is more open-ended. Medical reports indicate that his calf issue requires ongoing monitoring, meaning his return will be determined on a week-by-week basis.

How has Bukayo Saka performed this season?

Bukayo Saka has remained one of Arsenal’s most influential players in the 2025–26 season, combining elite creativity, consistent goal contributions and leadership before his recent injury setback.

He continued to deliver decisive moments in key fixtures, including goals and assists in both domestic and European competition. His influence was particularly evident in the Champions League league phase and knockout progression.

Before being ruled out of the Sporting CP quarterfinal first leg, he had reached another major milestone in his career, recently signing a long-term contract extension and surpassing 300 appearances for the club during the campaign.

How has Eberechi Eze performed this season?

Eberechi Eze has had a strong but interrupted first season at Arsenal, showing high-impact performances in big games while struggling with recent injury setbacks. Despite the disruptions, he has quickly established himself as one of the most creative midfield options in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

His season highlights include decisive attacking contributions in major fixtures, particularly in high-profile matches where the team relied on his ability to break defensive lines and operate between the midfield and attack.

One of his standout moments came in the Champions League round of 16, where he scored in Arsenal’s 2–0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, helping secure progression in Europe. However, his rhythm has been affected by recurring fitness issues.

Now with 9 points out of their last 3 games and 15th place within striking distance the club can start planning for a brighter future. According to The Sun, one of the players the Magpies have in mind is Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace. Eze is 23 years old and has some rather mundane numbers, but the Newcastle brass see a big future for the attacker.

Reports have it that the club is willing to purchase Eze at $62 million, the attacker has only played 5 games this season and has been injured and not in consideration during the course of the season.

What Newcastle United see in Eberechi Eze

Despite a rather down season Newcastle see value in Eberechi Eze, and they wanted to sign him as early as the winter market on loan, but that deal did not materialize. Now all signs point to the summer, and Crystal Palace have played well without the attacker and could sell at the price Newcastle is willing to spend.

Eberechi Eze began his career at QPR playing in over 100 games and scoring 20 goals, later he moved to Crystal Palace in 2020 and despite the injury bug has 4 goals in 39 games for the club. Eze was an England youth international playing with the U-20’s and U-21’s.