Arsenal injury, suspension list and return dates for Southampton quarter-final: Eberechi Eze, Martin Odegaard latest

The past couple of weeks have proven testing for Arsenal, who have been beset by fresh fitness worries following their 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the EFL Cup final.

Rather than offering respite, the international break only compounded Mikel Arteta’s problems, leaving the Gunners facing an anxious wait over several first-team players ahead of a pivotal period.

At least 10 Arsenal players withdrew from national-team duty, with four pulling out before even linking up with their respective camps, while the England squad was also hit by the growing list of absentees.

In total, the Gunners’ representatives made up the largest proportion of the eight players to withdraw from the Three Lions, leaving Arteta with more fitness issues to worry about.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Arsenal’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton, who will arrive with ambitions of springing a surprise and cutting Arsenal’s quadruple dream — already trimmed to a treble — down to size.

Eberechi Eze

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: March 22 (vs. Man City)

After scoring a sensational opening goal against Leverkusen, Eberechi Eze was forced off with an ankle injury in the second half at the Emirates.

The England international insisted that he was "OK" at full time, but that will be for the doctors to determine rather than him, and he is a slight doubt for the final at the time of writing.

Jurrien Timber

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Ankle

Possible return date: March 22 (vs. Man City)

Jurrien Timber picked up an ankle issue of his own against Everton last weekend, and having missed the second leg with Leverkusen, the Dutchman is not guaranteed to make the cut on Sunday.

Martin Odegaard

Status: Major doubt

Type of injury: Knee

Possible return date: March 22 (vs. Man City)

Martin Odegaard has been managing a flare-up of a recent knee injury, and Arsenal fans are anxiously awaiting updates on their captain, who is also a huge doubt for the final.

Mikel Merino

Status: Out

Type of injury: Foot

Possible return date: Unknown

Mikel Merino will watch from the sidelines as he continues his rehabilitation from a foot operation; the Spaniard is targeting a return before the end of the season.

ARSENAL'S SUSPENSION LIST

Arsenal have no players suspended for this weekend's quarter-final fixture against Southampton .