Arsenal have released footage from today's training session as preparations for the London derby against Fulham are now complete.
The Gunners only recently returned to the capital after Thursday's trip to Portugal and the 2-2 draw with Sporting CP in the Europa League round of 16 first-leg encounter as the focus shifts back to the Premier League title race and responding to Manchester City's result against Crystal Palace.
Since losing to City last month, Arsenal have put together a four-game winning run in the league and are guaranteed to go into the international break top of the table regardless of what happens over the next 24 hours or so as Pep Guardiola's side will be in FA Cup quarter-final action next weekend.
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As a result, the incentive for the Gunners against Fulham - and at home to the Eagles in eight days' time - is maximum points from both games as the worst-case scenario would then be that they head into the international break with at least an eight-point lead over Man City.
And ahead of the game in SW6, Arteta and his coaching staff put the first-team squad - and a few youngsters - through their paces during a training session at London Colney on Friday afternoon and below is what football.london noticed from the footage that has been released by the club's official photographer.
Absent stars
From the images it would appear that Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard were absent from Saturday's session with Arteta seemingly confirming his attacking trio will play no part in west London whilst also delivering an encouraging update on the Brazilian.
"Eddie [Nketiah] is out as well, so we have Gabby [Jesus] out, Eddie out and Leo [Trossard] out," he added. "We have to adapt at this period of the season. We can play with a winger more as a nine, or a false nine. We will see."
"He [Jesus] had a bad injury and he’s been really pushing the boundaries and trying to get that recovery as quick and smooth as possible. The reality is when he’s started to do some activities, he’s still feeling that he needs a little bit of time. Is it a matter of days? Hopefully yes, more than a matter of weeks. The moment he is ready, he will be thrown onto the field.
"The timescale that he had has been respected and it’s now more about his feelings, and when he actually demands he wants to be part of it."
The good news is that Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney were both spotted after the pair missed the 2-2 draw against Sporting CP because of illness.
Injury boost
If the aforementioned trio don't make the trip to Craven Cottage, then wonderkid Amario Cozier-Duberry could be in line to return to an Arsenal matchday squad for the first time since the 1-1 draw at home to Brentford last month.
Now, the teenager was an option to travel to Portugal in midweek as Arteta was permitted to name 12 substitutes for a Europa League tie but it appeared that he picked up an injury whilst playing for the U21s on Monday night and opened the door for Charles Sagoe Jr to earn a first senior call-up.
However, having been spotted in training on Saturday skipping past Gabriel Magalhaes it seems that Cozier-Duberry is fit again and could be on standby if attacking options are required against Fulham where he could finally make his first-team debut if the game allows for it.
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