Arsenal are set to play Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final stage. The first leg between the two teams will take place at The Emirates on Apr

Arsenal have been dealt a timely double injury boost as Mikel Arteta eased the club’s defensive injury crisis ahead of their Champions League quarter-final with Real Madrid next week. The Gunners were rocked by the news that star centre-back Gabriel will be sidelined for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury which requires surgery.

Mikel Arteta has dismissed fears over Mikel Merino after the Spaniard suffered a gash to the head during Arsenal’s draw at Everton on Saturday. The Gunners’ final trip to Goodison Park finished 1-1 after Leandro Trossard opened the scoring in the first half before Iliman Ndiaye’s equaliser from the penalty spot shortly after the break.