Mikel Arteta has plenty to do at the Sobha Realty Training Center during the international break.
Mikel Arteta has put his Arsenal players through their paces ahead of this weekend’s clash.
The Gunners will be determined to get back to winning ways when they host Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon, but Daniel Farken’s side remain one of five Premier League clubs yet to lose a game this season.
Before the international break, Brighton thrashed Arsenal at the Amex Stadium to give Manchester City an early lead at the top of the table. Meanwhile, the West Yorkshire outfit moved up to fifth in England’s top flight with a goalless draw with Crystal Palace at Elland Road.
By Sunday evening, when Enzo Maresca’s side face Liverpool at Anfield, the Gunners can leapfrog Manchester City if they become the first team to beat Leeds in the Premier League this season.
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The Whites have not beaten Arsenal in a competitive match since May 2003, when they won 3-2 at Highbury, but will fancy their chances after being pinned on the south coast last month.
So with that being said, football.london Here are four things you may have missed at the Sobha Realty Training Center this week as Arteta rallies his troops for a return to the Premier League.
Three Arsenal players in action
Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White and Max Dowman all worked at Sobha Realty Training Centre.
At the end of August, Mosquera was forced off with a “muscular problem” during Arsenal’s win over Aston Villa, which later turned out to be a knee injury, and he has not featured since. But now the Gunners defender looks set to bolster Arteta’s backline if required.
White picked up a groin injury during Arsenal’s win over Sunderland in September. The Gunners defender missed the defeat to Brighton before the international break; he was also left out of the England squad by Thomas Tuchel.
As for Dowman, he was dropped from the England Under-19 squad at the weekend, having missed the final match of the break due to suspension. “Arsenal” midfielder received a red card for reckless behavior in the second half of the victory against the USA.
“Arsenal” did not have five players
Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa, Kai Havertz and Christos Tzolis were absent from the pitch at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Rice withdrew from the England squad at the start of the international break due to load management concerns rather than injury, missing the Nations League matches against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia. The Arsenal midfielder, who is in the building, has been dealing with nerve-muscle pain for a long time.
Konsa also pulled out of the Three Lions set-up, but he didn’t pack his bags and leave until Monday. The Gunners defender was knocked out against Spain at Wembley, then missed the draw with the Czech Republic before playing 90 minutes against Croatia on Sunday.
Havertz was forced off after a high challenge from Jurrie’s brother Quinten Timber during Germany’s UEFA Nations League clash with the Netherlands last week. The German Football Association later announced he had a “muscle strain” before sending him home for further tests.
The Arsenal striker was in the building; after arriving he gave White a nice big big. Tzolis suffered a knee injury in Greece’s game against the Netherlands and was substituted in the 18th minute despite wanting to play.
As for William Saliba, of course he has been struggling with a back injury and he is yet to feature for Arsenal this season.
Nwaneri gets stuck
No, not Ethan, but Emerson! Emerson Nwaneri was included in first team training at the Sobha Realty Training Center this week and donned the white number 11 shirt over his number 90 print. White once looked superior from a Hale End prospect and went past him with ease.
Zubimendi is in a good mood
Martin Zubimendi appeared to be in good spirits despite a quiet start to the season, sharing a laugh with Miguel Molina. Having not played more than 200 minutes for Arteta this term, the Arsenal midfielder would have hoped for a bit more game time while away to Spain on international duty… but he only managed 100 minutes of action!