Key players miss training before Sporting clash

Five of Arsenal's key players were missing from the open part of training before the Gunners quarter-final second-leg match against Sporting in the Champions League. Arsenal have a 1-0 advantage from the first leg but have a number of injury issues in the squad. Declan Rice, who played 90 minutes of Arsenal's 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend, was not seen in the first 15 minutes of the training session that was open to the media.

Arsenal's preparations for a massive Champions League night have hit a potential snag, with five key players notably absent from the media-open portion of training. The Gunners host Sporting CP on Wednesday holding a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead, but injury concerns are casting a shadow over their quarter-final second leg.

The absentees include captain Martin Ødegaard, star winger Bukayo Saka, and defender Jurrien Timber, all managing injury issues. Summer signing Riccardo Calafiori was also missing, while midfield anchor Declan Rice—who played the full 90 minutes in Saturday's league defeat to Bournemouth—was not seen during the observed session.

This comes at a critical juncture in Arsenal's season. Advancing to the Champions League semi-finals is the immediate prize, but they must quickly turn focus to a seismic Premier League showdown with title rivals Manchester City this Sunday. The fitness of these core players could define their fortunes in both competitions this week.

Key players miss training before Sporting clash

Key players miss training before Sporting clash

Key players miss training before Sporting clash

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