Arsenal injury news: 2 to return for Champions League tie against Lyon | OneFootball

Renee Slegers delivers a crucial fitness update ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final, with two major names pushing for a return against European giants Lyon.

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Arsenal manager Renee Slegers expects both Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly to be available for Saturday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Lyon, as they look to maintain their momentum after a 5-1 dismantling of Leicester.

Injury concerns have hung over both players following their withdrawal from international duty, with Russo returning early from the England camp due to an ankle issue and Kelly also sent back with a foot problem sustained in training.

While neither has featured since, Slegers struck a cautiously optimistic tone when asked whether the pair would be available for the visit of the eight-time European champions to Emirates Stadium.

“The health of a player always comes first. We would never, as a club, take any risks that, that aren’t fair to the player, of course, and the player always has a say in it,” Slegers said.

“But yeah, of course, these players want to be available. They want to play in these games so bad, so they’re doing everything they can. The players, together with the medical team to get ready for the semi-final.”

Asked directly if she was confident Russo and Kelly would be fit in time for Lyon, Slegers replied: “It’s looking very good for the two, yes.”

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The squad, however, still has issues.

Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar is expected to miss the rest of the season after an awkward fall on international duty damaged tendons, despite early optimism from the Dutch international. “I am able to walk on it so I don’t expect it is very serious,” van Domselaar told de Telegraaf, but further assessment indicated the ankle injury was more significant than first feared.

Defender Lotte Wubben-Moy continues her recovery from a hamstring issue, having last featured before the 5-0 win over Tottenham, while Lina Hurtig and Laia Codina remain out with undisclosed issues picked up in training.

With the focus now turned to Saturday, Slegers will know that in players like Russo and Kelly, she has individuals capable of tipping the balance in Arsenal’s favour.

Lyon represent a formidable test, but Arsenal’s manager is quietly assembling the pieces for what she hopes will be a defining afternoon.