Arsenal held their first training session of 2016 today as the squad prepared for Saturday’s game at home to Newcastle United, with seven youngsters in attendance.
Alex Iwobi and Jeff Reine-Adelaide were amongst those involved and the wingers are expected to make the bench for the game tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Dan Crowley, Chris Willock, Ben Sheaf, Glen Kamara and goalkeeper Matt Macey were also selected to train with the squad. Crowley has mainly been working with Arsenal’s U21 side since returning from his loan spell at Barnsley.
As far as the first-team players are concerned, Mikel Arteta is back in full training but, on account of his lack of match fitness, the Spaniard is unlikely to be considered for inclusion tomorrow.
Kieran Gibbs, however, is fit after suffering with cramp towards the end of the victory over Bournemouth, whilst Mathieu Flamini, who missed the game against the Cherries, was involved in today’s session.
Arsenal still have six senior players out injured. Alexis Sanchez, who has been struggling with a hamstring problem, could be back for the FA Cup tie at home to Sunderland next weekend.
Tomas Rosicky, who hasn’t featured all season because of a knee injury, is scheduled to return to full training in three weeks’ time.
Jack Wilshere (calf) and Danny Welbeck (knee) could return in February along with Francis Coquelin, who has also been struggling with a knee problem. Santi Cazorla, who has a similar issue, isn’t likely to return until March.
Mathieu Debuchy continued to train with the squad today despite there being a chance he could leave the club this month.
There could be several changes to the side tomorrow, with Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny poised to return to the starting line-up after being rested against Bournemouth. Manager Arsene Wenger may also consider resting Per Mertesacker and Olivier Giroud.
Possible team:
Cech
Bellerin-Gabriel-Koscielny-Monreal
Chambers-Ramsey
Oxlade Chamberlain-Ozil-Campbell
Walcott
Subs: Ospina, Mertesacker, Gibbs, Flamini, Giroud, Iwobi, Reine-Adelaide.
Jeorge, is there in your opinion any possibility for Jon Toral to come back to Arsenal in this transfer window? It seems to be a worrying lack of cover in central attacking midfield, with just Ramsey (and maybe Ox) someone that is able to cover that position, atleast untily Rosicky comes back.
You seem to be impressed by his development. I must admit that I don’t really follow that many Birmingham games, but he seems to play a lot and has some success on championship level. Considering that he is already 20 years old, is he in your opinion ready to come in this Arsenal team? I think it would be a shame to buy a player from outside to cover there, when there are youth players who could come in.
Toral would be a good option but I don’t think Birmingham would allow him to leave
Alexis can play behind the striker, Joel Campbell can play behind the striker. Serge Gnabry looks likely to come back (they had a 17 year old ahead of him yesterday) and can play there.
I think Jon Toral is very low down in terms of options even if he was able to return.