Mikel Arteta confirmed that Arsenal will continue to be without Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber when they travel to Lisbon for their Champions League quarter-final first-leg date, adding to what is becoming a grueling injury list.

The Gunners, who were in the hunt for a quadruple the last time they played on the continent a few weeks ago, have seen their dreams falter at very delicate moments, but have no time to dwell on avoiding further disaster.

Their recent slump is a sign that the worst could happen, as the events of recent days and the fixtures ahead are a replica of their story at this stage of the 2022-23 season, when everything fell apart in the span of three weeks.

A replica of 2022-23 nightmare 

Although their Europa League quarter-final elimination came much earlier in March 2023, Arsenal lost one important player to a season-ending injury in that tie, as William Saliba was taken off in the first half in the second leg at Emirates Stadium.

That injury will go on to define their season as at this time of that year, they were held in a 3-3 draw at home to relegation-threatened Southampton, making it three consecutive draws, and allowing Manchester City to leapfrog them at the summit.

A 4-1 loss to Pep Guardiola's charge in the Etihad followed in Premier League round 33, ultimately ending their title charge. With the recent poor showings, there are growing fears around the club that a deja vu could be lurking.

Arsenal fell to a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final before the March international break, their first Wembley defeat under Mikel Arteta, while they also passed the chance to return to the national stadium after losing to Championship club Southampton in the Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals.

Despite the withdrawal of players from international duties, it looks as though their fears are more serious, but they will breathe a sigh of relief that the injury that saw Gabriel depart the pitch in the second half against Southampton is not serious.

Arsenal's injury update for Sporting CP trip

Having missed the trip to Southampton, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Belgian winger Leandro Trossard will be available for this game, while Declan Rice is also expected to return to the squad after also missing the Cup defeat.

Gabriel Magalhaes has trained with the rest of the squad on Monday and has traveled to Portugal, expected to take part in the game, but it comes too soon for four others due to recent injury developments.

Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber have been ruled out, joining Piero Hincapie and Eberechi Eze on the sidelines, although Mikel Arteta remains hopeful that the duo will return for the visit of Bournemouth in the Premier League this weekend.

Mikel Merino remains sidelined and will miss the rest of the season following a rare shoulder injury suffered back in January.

Sporting do have worries of their own with captain Kasper Hjulmand set to miss the first leg due to suspension, and even though Geovany Quenda is back in training, he hasn't played since his injury in December.

Match facts: Sporting CP vs Arsenal

Sporting CP will surely be wary of Arsenal's threats, but the hosts do boast an impressive home form in the Champions League this season, winning all five, including a 5-0 victory over Bodo Glimt last time out to overcome a 3-0 first-leg deficit.

They will be keen to take advantage of Arsenal's recent predicaments, but the Gunners have won two of their last three visits to the Jose Alvalade stadium, including a 5-1 win in last season's league phase.

Sporting CP eliminated Arsenal in the Europa League quarter-finals when they clashed in 2023, a memory that will spur on their fans, especially if they manage to get a result tonight, and head to the Emirates next week without trailing.

However, the Gunners are also undefeated in the Champions League this season, though back-to-back Cup defeats have completely changed their fortune in what was a perfect Cup run across all competitions before the loss in Wembley.

Asked about getting back to winning ways in his final press conference before the departure for Portugal, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta responds: 

“Giving [the players] clarity, even more conviction now and trusting the players - believing in what we’re doing, continuing to do that with little tweaks that every game demands.”

“But especially, maintaining the spirit, the attitude, and the energy at the highest possible level, because that’s critical to perform at the level that we need to win matches.”

The Spaniard will hope his players start to turn up again and this starts going their way in a crucial part of the season. With Manchester City breathing down their neck in the Premier League title race and a difficult date in Portugal on the way, they will need all the luck.

Arsenal are still the favourites to progress into the semi-finals, where they will meet one of Atlético Madrid or Barcelona, but as we await kickoff, there have never been more doubts about them this season than tonight.

It is imperative that they turn up, and start rewriting the narrative that saw them lose it all in 2022-23. After losing two trophies in their last two games, a poor result tonight may likely make it three straight, and four if the slump continues against Bournemouth.

It'll be an emotional night in Lisbon as Viktor Gyokeres returns to the club he scored 97 goals for in two seasons before his big move to Arsenal last summer, although it remains to be seen how the fans will welcome him after the heated transfer saga that unfolded.

Arsenal at the moment, looks like they can not fend off the misfortunes, but for their own good and to salvage what is left of their season, they have to bend the narrative to their own favour, and that has to start tonight in Lisbon.

It could be that bad, and the players have to realize this and make amendments while they can, because the next two weeks will define their season, and may undo the exceptional work they've done in the larger part.