{"id":1644,"date":"2026-04-11T01:50:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T01:50:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1644"},"modified":"2026-04-11T01:50:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T01:50:45","slug":"arsenal-news-mikel-arteta-told-star-can-be-title-race-key-after-injury-update-complication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1644","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta told star can be title race &#8216;key&#8217; after injury update complication"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_b6bb55\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Mikel Arteta and Arsenal will resume their Premier League campaign on Saturday after gaining the upper hand in their Champions League quarter-final<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36990975\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mikel Arteta during Sporting CP vs Arsenal\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990975.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990975.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990975.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990975.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mikel Arteta faces a big few weeks with Arsenal\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mikel Arteta faces a big few weeks with Arsenal<cite aria-label=\"Image: UEFA via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">After a late win in Lisbon on Tuesday night, Arsenal will return to domestic action against Bournemouth on Saturday. <!-- -->Mikel Arteta welcomed players back for the victory against Sporting CP and could have a selection dilemma on his hands during the run-in.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Kai Havertz came off the bench to score the only goal of the game in midweek and he isn&#8217;t the only one pushing for a start against the Cherries. Teenage sensation Max Dowman has already shown he can hold his own against Premier League defences and there has been plenty of clamour for him to play more.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">After this weekend&#8217;s game, there&#8217;s a quick turnaround before Sporting head to North London for the second leg of their European tie. Arsenal might have seen their FA Cup hopes dashed by Southampton but they&#8217;re still in pole position for the league title as they prepare to face closest challengers Manchester City on April 19.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arteta will have plenty of decisions to make for those key games and some advice has come his way. Here are <em>Mirror Football<\/em>&#8216;s latest lines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mirrorfootballarsenal#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_020eaf\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arsenal vs Man City&#8217;s TV schedules compared as title rivals forced to respond<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_020eaf\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arsenal star says they are back on track but admits: &#8216;I\u2019m still really disappointed and sad&#8217;<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_e65c2b\">Arteta handed Dowman advice<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Former England defender Rio Ferdinand believes Max Dowman could hold the key for Arsenal in the title race. The 16-year-old was a difference maker in the recent win over Everton when he played a part in both goals, scoring for the first time in the Premier League.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cHe could be the key to Mikel Arteta getting Arsenal over the line, I think he\u2019s that good,\u201d the pundit said on <a aria-label=\"Rio Ferdinand PresentsLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@rioferdinandpresents\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Rio Ferdinand Presents<\/a>. \u201cHe\u2019s not got the mental scars that the other players have because of what they\u2019ve gone through in previous seasons.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36990992\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36990992\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.36\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Max Dowman during Sporting vs Arsenal\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990992.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990992.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990992.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990992.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Sporting-Clube-de-Portugal-v-Arsenal-FC-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Quarter-Final-First-Leg.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Max Dowman came off the bench against Sporting\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Max Dowman came off the bench against Sporting<cite aria-label=\"Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cYou might need someone like him to lean on and tell him to be fearless and help us through it without giving him too much responsibility. He could be a massive key for Arsenal in that sense.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_e65c2b\">Eze return provides headache<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ebere Eze looks like he could be ready to return ahead of schedule for Arsenal. The England international hasn&#8217;t played since mid-March, when he scored in a 2-0 Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36990999\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36990999\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.51\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ebere Eze during Arsenal vs Bayer Leverkusen\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990999.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990999.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990999.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36990999.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Arsenal-FC-v-Bayer-04-Leverkusen-UEFA-Champions-League-202526-Round-of-16-Second-Leg.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Ebere Eze hasn't played in more than three weeks\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Ebere Eze hasn&#8217;t played in more than three weeks<cite aria-label=\"Image: CameraSport via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Initial estimates suggested Eze could miss up to six weeks with a calf injury. However, he has returned to training to spark suggestions he might even be available this weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">While Mikel Arteta will no doubt be pleased to have more options at his disposal, the return of the \u00a368m man could leave the boss with difficult decisions to make with his starting line-ups in the coming weeks. On the other hand, though, Martin Odegaard missed training and the Gunners boss will hope his captain isn&#8217;t set for another spell on the sidelines.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><em><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. 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