Arsenal defender unexpected absentee at training ahead of Fulham

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta took first team training in front of the cameras ahead of this weekend’s trip to Fulham, allowing fans a sneak peek into preparations following the international break.

The Gunners stars who jetted off to represent their nations all appear to have returned to north London unscathed, which will allow Arteta to name an almost full strength squad against the Cottagers.

Arsenal will be without Martin Odegaard due to his knee injury, with the captain not expected to return until November. Noni Madueke, who was signed from Chelsea for £48.5 million this summer, is also expected to miss out with a knee injury picked up against Manchester City. Kai Havertz has a similar problem and will miss out.

Arsenal defender absent from training

Now, it appears that the Gunners could also be without Ben White. Sky Sports were at the training ground and reported that the 28-year-old was absent from the session.

It is yet to be confirmed why White was not present at training but his absence does prompt injury concern. Arteta will face the media in his pre-match press conference on Friday, when more detail is expected to be unveiled.

White has not started a Premier League fixture for Arsenal since the season opener against Manchester United in August. The defender was not part of the matchday squad against Leeds United and Liverpool but had been named on the bench in every match since then.

It would have been a surprise to see Arteta start White over Jurrien Timber against Fulham but the former Brighton man’s potential absence could be a concern should the Spaniard want to manager minutes following the international break. Timber played a full 90 minutes for the Netherlands against Malta last week and was then on the field for 62 minutes against Finland.

Martin Zubimendi watches on ahead of Fulham

White was labelled ‘the most convincing’ of Arsenal’s defenders in that first Premier League match against Manchester United, being awarded a 7/10 for his performance by The Standard. The outlet wrote: “The most convincing of Arsenal’s defenders. Covered across well in the opening minute and did not find himself as exposed as some of his team-mates, even if there were some tough moments against Matheus Cunha.”

The only other concern for Arsenal ahead of Fulham came in Sky Sports reporting that while Martin Zubimendi was present at training, he watched from the sidelines rather than taking part in the session. The midfielder came off after 63 minutes in Spain’s 4-0 win over Bulgaria on Tuesday but was not thought to have picked up an injury.

The Gunners paid £60 million to bring Zubimendi to the Emirates Stadium from Real Sociedad this summer. The midfielder has started every Premier League match this season and any absence would be a blow given Odegaard’s injury.

In other news, ‘Good News’: Injured Arsenal star ‘first out’ at training in boost ahead of Fulham.