New injury, two big returns, Madueke hint - Everything spotted in Arsenal training for Man Utd
Arsenal will be in the process of their final preparations at London Colney for their Premier League opener against Manchester United. The Gunners will be hoping this is finally the season they take home the title after losing out to Liverpool and Manchester City in recent years.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has strengthened Arteta's squad over the summer but their main title rivals have also bolstered their ranks and as such the Gunners boss is expecting another extremely competitive nine months.
"A lot," Arteta said when asked how many teams will be in the title race."Too many in this league and it's getting stronger and stronger, and there are teams probably that maybe you don't put them on a piece of paper right now, but suddenly they will surprise everybody.
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"I mean the squads, the quality of the managers, the structure they have within the clubs, they are so strong that it's going to be very difficult."
Arteta will be expecting his side to be up there especially as it looks as though he has the entirety of his squad available. However, the latest pictures from training suggest a new one may have emerged alongside what will likely be the front three at Old Trafford.
With all of that being said, football.london has taken a look at all the big moments and talking points that have arrived following Arsenal's latest session.
New injury worryArsenal were hampered by injuries last season and a major blow could have arrived very early into the new campaign.
While Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber have recovered from issues suffered earlier this year, summer arrival Christian Norgaard was not seen in any of the training images uploaded to the club's official website on Friday or the four-minute clip that followed.
It is possible he was just not captured or doing indoor work, but there is still reason enough to be concerned. It looked set to be a different defensive midfielder potentially absent for the opener with rumours Zubimendi was ill going around, however Arteta confirmed that he was fine and available.
Double returnArteta has been handed at least one injury boost with Leandro Trossard available to return for the clash against Man United.
"Yeah, I think he's much better," the Arsenal boss admitted on the Belgian. "I think he will be able to train again tomorrow and if that's the case, he will be fit."
Alongside Trossard returning, Max Dowman is also back from the mini-holiday he went on following the pre-season defeat to Villareal having not really had any time off. The teenager is therefore seemingly in contention to make the matchday squad, but he will more than likely be eased into senior football.
Following there summer transfer business, it now appears as though there are at least two players competing for every position. Competition in attack has particularly increased with Noni Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli seemingly after two spots.
The duo that will be starting at Old Trafford may have been revealed with Madueke and Gyokeres joining Bukayo Saka in attacking drills. That front front three being deployed will see Saka off the right, Gyokeres through the middle and Madueke on the left.