Arsenal will travel out to Dubai on Sunday to continue their preparation for the return of Premier League football after Christmas. The Gunners players who are not at the World Cup have been back in training at London Colney this week and took part in a behind closed doors friendly in which they lost 4-2 to Watford.
Goals in the first half of the game from Marquinhos and Eddie Nketiah were enough to give them a lead going into the break. However, after Mikel Arteta made 10 changes at half time, Watford launched a second-half comeback to secure victory in a topsy-turvy encounter.
They will now ditch the freezing cold temperatures of north London for the hotter climate of Abu Dhabi. While out in Dubai Arsenal will face Lyon and AC Milan in friendlies before returning home to complete their pre-season preparations against Juventus at the Emirates on December 17th. With so many players still away in Qatar though, Arteta looks likely to opt for a squad filled with young players to head out on tour.
READ MORE: Arsenal vs Watford highlights: Gunners lose friendly 4-2 as Marquinhos and Nketiah star
Several academy players are expected to travel to fill in the gaps in the squad. With the first team short at goalkeeper, right back, centre back, midfield and centre forward, the likes of Hubert Graczyk, Reuell Walters, Myles Lewis Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Amario Cozier-Duberry and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji could all travel out to Dubai.
One more experienced player who is likely to make the journey is Emile Smith Rowe. The 22-year-old has been out since September after having surgery on a groin injury, but reports have suggested he will be on the plane to the Middle East. His return will be welcome after football.london learned that Gabriel Jesus is set for a spell on the sidelines due to a knee problem that has ended his World Cup.
Karl Hein, Cedric, Rob Holding, Gabriel, Kieran Tierney, Mohamed Elneny, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Reiss Nelson, Marquinhos and Eddie Nketiah all took part against Watford and are likely to travel. Oleksandr Zinchenko did not play however, raising some questions over his fitness, although he has been training with the first team at London Colney this week. One player who definitely won't be coming out to Dubai is Ben White after he left the England camp at the World Cup due to personal circumstances.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal's Granit Xhaka embroiled in World Cup controversy after Switzerland victory over Serbia
Arsenal given Premier League title boost as Thomas Partey's early World Cup return confirmed
Arsenal launch new retro kit with hilarious video featuring William Saliba and Eddie Nketiah
5 Arsenal youngsters who could be part of Mikel Arteta's Dubai preseason squad
Stan Kroenke given £250m incentive to invest in January as Arsenal target Premier League title
