3 things we noticed from Arsenal's final Dubai training session, including worrying absentee and injured star involved
A look at what we learned from Arsenal’s final warm-weather training session in Dubai.
Arsenal are now headed home after almost a week of warm-weather training in Dubai, afforded to them by their early exit from the FA Cup. The Gunners will hope the period away will allow them to reset, recharge and to polish off some of the issue that have left them chasing chasing Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners had their final sessions in the Middle-East on Tuesday, and here we have taken a look at some of the main takeaways from the photos published by the official Gunners website.
Havertz absent
It was reported on Tuesday night that Kai Havertz had suffered a hamstring issue that will keep him out for an unknown period of time, but likely at least a couple of games. That was all-but confirmed by the absence of Havertz from any of the photos, whether they were of the on-grass sessions or the gym session.
The blow will be a huge one for Arteta given the club failed to land a new forward over the winter window, while Gabriel Jesus is also out through injury, leaving Arsenal mightily short of a striker.
White steps up recovery
Ben White continued his recovery from his long-term knee injury in Dubai, pictured on the bike as he worked to build his fitness in the sun without too much heavy lifting. The full-back has been out since mid-Novermber, undergoing knee surgery, but he should be back in early March to provide a welcome boost.
Youngsters get involved
Arsenal took a number of young players to Dubai to get some first team training experience, with a long list of youth stars involved. Those included: Tommy Setford, Jack Porter, Josh Nichols, Ismeal Kabi, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Charles Sagoe Jr, Max Dowman, Jack Henry-Francis and Michal Rosiak.
Under-21s coach Mehmet Ali said of the experience his young players are getting in an interview with the club website: “It’s different for different players. You’ve got some of the younger ones who are coming for the first time, getting a feel for what it takes to be an Arsenal first-team player, and then you’ve got some of the older lads who have been in and around supporting them before.
“Ultimately, it’s about these guys coming to Dubai and trying to absorb as much information as they can from Mikel, all of the first team staff and of course all of the players. It’s about learning, developing and facilitating the first-team.
“It’s an invaluable experience. I always feel when you’re away in a 24-hour setting with the first-team, it’s like three months of development in a week simply because you’re picking up so much information subconsciously and consciously. They’re picking up so many things on and off the pitch, so it’s a privilege for these boys and myself to be out here.”