Mikel Arteta led the final training session ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with FK Bodo/Glimt. The Gunners are set to play their first home Europa League tie against the Norwegian side.
Arsenal will play their second Europa League game of the season in what should have been their third match, but the planned previous encounter against PSV Eindhoven was cancelled following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. This fixture has now been moved to Thursday, October 20.
After the victory against Spurs in the North London Derby on the weekend, it is important that Arsenal maintain their momentum and the match against FK Bodo/Glimt creates an excellent opportunity to do so. football.london rounds up all the things that were spotted at the Gunners' open training session on Wednesday afternoon.
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Zinchenko misses training
Oleksandr Zinchenko missed Arsenal training ahead of the Gunners' opening home Europa League group stage match against FK Bodo/Glimt.
Despite the Ukrainian starting at left-back in Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Spurs, he was absent for the Gunners' training session on Wednesday. However, football.london understands that his absence has been taken as a precautionary measure, rather than any serious injury.
Zinchenko had featured in every Premier League for the Gunners since making the transfer switch from Manchester City until he was ruled out with an injury against Fulham in Arsenal's fourth game of the season. football.london's Arsenal reporter Kaya Kaynak reported that Zinchenko had suffered a slight sprain to his left knee.
Portuguese-speaking band are inseparable
The Portuguese-speaking group has been established. Marquinhos, Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Martinelli all walked out together, joking and laughing, just as they were in the final session ahead of the first Europa League fixture against FC Zurich.
The band even began the first training drill on the same side as teams of five competed to reach the ball in the middle of a square and run back to tag their teammate, who would once again do the same until every player had been tagged in. It seems that the Portuguese-speaking connection had worked, as they came out victorious in that drill.
Saliba and Saka in good spirits
William Saliba and Bukayo Saka walked out onto the training pitch together in good spirits as they were all smiles ahead of the Europa League clash. Both players have been behind a lot of talk recently due to their ongoing contract situations.
Saka's current deal runs until the end of the 2023/24 season, but if Edu and Co. fail to tie him down to a long-term extension in the next few months, a bidding war for his signature is likely to commence. However, Arsenal remain confident that Saka will put pen to paper.
Saliba's deal is also set to expire at the same time as Saka's. Despite this, the Evening Standard have reported that the Gunners have now opened talks with the Frenchman as they look to secure a deal.
Three youth team players feature
With three senior outfield players out, Mikel Arteta included three under-21 stars of the future into the mix. Zach Awe, Marquinhos and Matt Smith were all involved in Arsenal's final training session ahead of the match against FK Bodo/Glimt.
Marquinhos has already started in the Europa League this season, while Smith has previously been named on the bench. Awe has yet to be named in a first team squad by Arteta but that could change by Thursday night.
Edu present
Arsenal's technical director Edu was present at the training ground as the players made their way onto the pitch. The Brazilian had an incredibly busy summer with five new incomings before the end of the transfer window.
However, the closure of the transfer window does not mean that Edu can relax, as players' contract situations are a hot topic for the club currently. Despite this, the technical director was still able to come away from his office to watch Arteta's squad train.
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