Arsenal injury update: Ben White, Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Gunners are hopeful of some good news on the injury front ahead of Tuesday night’s massive Champions League tie

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Arsenal have been dealt a double injury scare ahead of their Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsenal welcome PSG to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, but preparations for the huge showdown have been rocked despite having a six-day gap between fixtures.

With the fixture at home to Crystal Palace being brought forward, it means the Gunners have had almost a full week’s rest. Though, in addition to the suspended Thomas Partey, two other senior players could also miss out.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest Arsenal injury news.

Ben White

Ben White was not fit to face Crystal Palace last Wednesday.

White featured in Arsenal’s 4-0 win at Ipswich three days prior, but Arteta confirmed he picked up an “issue” after.

Speaking after the 2-2 draw with the Eagles, Arteta adopting a wait and see approach with the defender which means all eyes will be on if White takes part in training on Monday.

Potential return date: Unknown

Mikel Merino

After also being left out of the Arsenal squad for their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last Wednesday, Mikel Merino is a doubt for the PSG clash.

Arteta said the Spaniard was not fit and he was unable to offer any guarantee he will be ready for the huge game.

“We have to wait and see, but they were unable to be in the squad today,” Arteta said of Merino and White.

Potential return date: Unknown

Doubts: Ben White and Mikel Merino

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Jorginho

Jorginho is making good progress but remains a doubt to face PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

The midfielder missed the wins over Real Madrid and Ipswich as well as the draw against Crystal Palace with a rib injury picked up during Arsenal’s draw against Brentford.

“I hope so, but I'm not certain,” Arteta said last week. “So we have to see how he evolves in the next few days, I would say a few weeks. So the doctor was quite cautious still about talking about any dates.

“So let's see. The good news is that he's improving, he's feeling much better. It was quite a scary situation and he's in a good place now.”

Potential return date: Unknown

Riccardo Calafiori

During last month’s international break Riccardo Calafiori suffered a knee injury. The defender’s left knee appeared to buckle under him during Italy’s Nations League quarter-final defeat to Germany and he was released from their camp shortly after.

Progressing well with his recovery, the summer signing is on course to make the Arsenal squad for the first leg of their semi-final clash with PSG.

“If everything goes well, I think so - maybe a little bit earlier,” said Arteta last week. “Let’s see. He is on the pitch already.

“He is doing quite a lot of stuff and we just need to make the right steps now to make sure when he is back, he is in a good place to perform.”

Potential return date: April 29, 2025 vs PSG (H)

Gabriel

Arsenal have confirmed Gabriel will miss the rest of the season after surgery on a hamstring injury sustained during their win over Fulham.

An Arsenal statement read: “Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhaes 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: Summer 2025

Kai Havertz

Kai Havertz was expected to be ruled out for the rest of the season, but there is now hope that he could get back on the pitch next month.

The German has been out with a hamstring injury since the start of February and had to undergo surgery, with the club confirming at the time that his recovery was “expected to extend into pre-season preparations for next season, but now Arteta has opened the door for possible minutes before the season ends.

“Let’s see,” he said. “Every injury isn’t the same. “The mindset of those two though is very similar. Great injury history, great work ethic, desperate to get back playing as quick as possible - and a great medical staff as well to look after them.

Injured: Arsenal star Kai Havertz

X | @kaihavertz29

“So hopefully we can have him [before the end of the season], but let’s wait. Once you get to the last stage of that rehab, you can understand better how close or far you are to make that next step.”

Potential return date: Summer 2025

Takehiro Tomiyasu

Takehiro Tomiyasu has mustered only six minutes this season, which came way back in October against Southampton.

Injury setbacks have derailed his progress all season and knee surgery in February has ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.

Later that month, the Japan international posted an Instagram message reading: “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.

Gabriel Jesus

Striker Gabriel Jesus is another to have struggled with injury problems throughout his time at Arsenal.

In January, Jesus suffered a serious knee injury and has since undergone surgery. Due to that, his exact return date remains unclear but he’s not expected back for many months.