Arsenal injury list: Players out, potential return dates, predicted lineup for next game vs. Bayer Leverkusen

After a weekend win that required nearly the full 90 minutes of effort, picking up a late 2-0 victory over Everton, Arsenal turn back to European competition as they host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League Round of 16.

Mikel Arteta's side are level on aggregate after a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Germany, and will need a better performance after being rescued late by a soft penalty to secure the level scoreline.

With a spot in the quarterfinal on the line, and the winner set to face either Bodo/Glimt or Sporting CP in the next round, Arsenal will hope their injury list subsides as soon as possible for them to crack on both domestically and abroad.

Here's the latest injury picture around Arteta's squad, with the fixtures coming thick and fast.

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Arsenal injury list

Below is the latest injury picture for Arsenal, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.

Leandro Trossard

• Injury: Knock
• Expected return: March 17 (vs. Bayer Leverkusen)

The Belgium winger was substituted in the 38th minute at Mansfield due to what Arteta referred to as "a little niggle". Trossard sat out the first leg against Leverkusen as well as the ensuing Premier League match against Everton, but Arteta confirmed he would be available selection for the return leg in the Champions League Round of 16.

Jurrien Timber

• Injury: Ankle
• Expected return: March 22 (vs. Man City)

Jurrien Timber picked up an injury early in the eventual 2-0 victory over Everton on March 14. He went down in the opening 15 minutes, but carried on as long as he could. Ultimately, he was forced off in the 37th minute, replaced by Cristhian Mosquera.

In the end, it would appear Arsenal dodged a bullet with this one. Mikel Arteta said that Timber's recovery will be "a matter of days," but he will miss the Bayer Leverkusen return leg and his availability for the EFL Cup final against Man City on the weekend is up in the air.

Martin Odegaard

• Injury: Knee
• Expected return: March 22 (vs. Manchester City)

Odegaard has not felt right for much of the season, battling through a knee injury, and he has been held out of recent Premier League matches against Chelsea and Brighton as a result. "We have to wait and see how comfortable he is to do certain actions,” Mikel Arteta said before the Brighton match in early March.

The Carabao Cup final against Manchester City might be the most realistic target as games come thick and fast across multiple competitions. Odegaard missed the first leg of the Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen and remains a doubt to face Everton.

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Mikel Merino

• Injury: Broken foot
• Expected return date: May

It was reported in Spain late on February 1 that Merino could miss much of the rest of the season with a broken foot, and Arsenal confirmed the injury a day later. The club said the midfielder will be out for "an extended period" while he recovers from surgery, but the intention is for him to be back in training before the season ends.

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Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Bayer Leverkusen

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Raya (GK)

Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie

Rice, Zubimendi

Saka, Eze, Martinelli

Gyokeres

Arsenal fixture schedule: Next five games

• Arsenal vs. Bayer Leverkusen | Champions League Round of 16, second leg | Tuesday, March 17
• Arsenal vs. Man City | EFL Cup final | Sunday, March 22
• Southampton vs. Arsenal | FA Cup 6th round | Saturday, April 5
• Arsenal vs. Bournemouth | Premier League | Saturday, April 11
• Man City vs. Arsenal | Premier League | Sunday, April 19