Pre-Cup Training for Arsenal Raises Concerns About Injuries

The latest Arsenal training news has provided a number of injury hints ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League clash against Newcastle

Mikel Arteta will be looking for a response from his Arsenal players in this weekend’s clash against Newcastle. The Gunners saw their impressive five-game win streak ended by a 1-0 defeat to Porto in Champions League last-16 action with that European clash only the fourth time Arteta’s side had failed to score this season.

When asked about responding to the defeat with a victory, Arteta said: “That’s it. We discussed it. Porto is gone, the things that we did very well, the things that we have to improve. It tells you about the fine margins in the Champions League.

When you lose it in the last second it’s something else. That’s clear. We cannot lose sight of what we’re doing and the importance of the match tomorrow. The full energy and focus is there.”

The Arsenal injury list is slowly decreasing with Emile Smith Rowe a recent returner, however there are still a number of key players missing with it unlikely any feature against Newcastle this Saturday. With that said, football.london has taken a look at the latest Arsenal training pictures.

Partey boost

Arteta will be hoping Thomas Partey can make his long-awaited return from injury over the coming weeks. Multiple setbacks have been suffered by the Ghana international recently and thus it is very likely he will be given plenty of time to fully recover.

“Let’s see,” Arteta said when asked about Partey. “We have another session today. He’s been out for many, many months now. We need to really nail the timing of when he has enough in the tank to compete. But I think he’s very close.”

A cameo against Newcastle United is possible and considering Partey was again captured both in the gym and training on the grass, he is likely very close to a return.

Trio missing from training

While it was great to see Partey in training, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus were all absent. After giving a positive update on Partey, Arteta was then asked about the trio.

“Same with Gabi. He’s done a few things. And Alex [Zinchenko] is not far too. Tomiyasu still a little bit more.” The Gunners hadn’t really missed their injured quartet in recent weeks, but their lack of options from the bench was perhaps exposed in defeat to Porto.

Given Arteta’s update and their absence from the latest pictures at London Colney, a return against Newcastle is unlikely for any of the three but one arriving the following week for the clash against Sheffield United is more feasible.

Havertz hint

Given Newcastle’s physical and aerial strength, a start for Kai Havertz this weekend is very likely. The Germany international has started the last four games in a variety of positions but he could make way for either Jorginho or Emile Smith Rowe.

Arteta has made minimal changes to his team recently and that looks set to remain, at least regarding Havertz, considering what he was wearing in training. Both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were on the same team in a small-sided training game and alongside them was Kai Havertz.

Usually, the expected starting XI for the weekend’s game will work beside each other in training and considering Saka and Rice’s importance it would certainly suggest that starting team also involves Havertz.

Trio missing from training

While it was great to see Partey in training, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus were all absent. After giving a positive update on Partey, Arteta was then asked about the trio.

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