Arsenal have released more footage from training ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Leeds United.
On Thursday it was revealed that Thomas Partey took part in a session at London Colney in a huge boost for Gunners manager Mikel Arteta amid concerns with regard to the midfielder's fitness after not being risked by Ghana in their Africa Cup of Nations clash against Angola at the beginning of the week.
And preparations for the visit of Leeds increased on Friday with the Spaniard and his coaching staff putting the Arsenal first-team squad - and a few youngsters - through their paces during the final session and below is what football.london noticed from the footage that has been released on the club's website.
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Martinelli and Vieira forfeit
By now it's clear how serious the Arsenal squad takes their forfeits and there was no special treatment for Gabriel Martinelli or Fabio Vieira ahead of the Leeds game.
One of the drills involved the players quickly assembling into groups of five. Unfortunately for the aforementioned pair after one group had contained Jakub Kiwior, Reiss Nelson, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Magalhaes they lost the challenge which resulted in them having to undergo a forfeit of doing push-ups.
Absent stars
Unsurprisingly there were a number of absent first-team stars from the session. This included long-term injury casualties Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah was also not spotted with the group and nor was William Saliba with the Frenchman ruled out against Leeds with a back injury.
"He is progressing, unfortunately, he still has some discomfort in his back," Arteta revealed during the pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon. "We are trying to manage him in the best possible way. Unfortunately, he’s not gonna be fit for this game and we’re trying and he’s trying to do everything to feel better and get back training. But not yet."
Youngsters involved
With Saliba ruled out alongside Tomiyasu, Elneny and Nketiah - in addition to Karl Hein likely to be left out - it means Arsenal have 19 senior first-team players available for selection. But as per Premier League rules regarding a 20-man matchday squad, a call-up is certain for one academy prospect.
Given Saliba is a defender, Arteta could include Reuell Walters in the matchday squad once again, especially as Matt Smith, Mauro Bandeira or Charles Sagoe Jr - also spotted in the session - featured for the U21s against Manchester United on Friday evening.
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