Arsenal take on Sporting CP on Thursday in the second leg of their round of 16 Europa League matchup and Mikel Arteta has been putting his side through their paces
Gabriel Jesus boost and two other things spotted in Arsenal training ahead of Sporting. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been putting his side through their paces ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash against Sporting CP.
The first leg of their round of 16 matchup ended 2-2 in Lisbon as William Saliba’s opener was cancelled out by two Sporting goals before a freak own goal from Hidemasa Morita meant the scoreline would be level going into this week’s game at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners’ most recent outing came on Sunday afternoon when they defeated Fulham 3-0 in the Premier League, which saw four first-team players welcomed back following injuries and illnesses.
Star forward Gabriel Jesus, who had been sidelined for over three months due to a knee injury, was a late substitute at Craven Cottage whilst Leandro Trossard made a speedy return following his groin injury. Both Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney had been under the weather for the first leg against Ruben Amorim’s side but they recovered in time for the trip to west London as well.
Ahead of Thursday’s highly-anticipated clash, football.london takes a look at three major talking points from the recent batch of training pictures Arsenal released on Tuesday evening.
Gabriel Jesus boost
Jesus came on in the 77th minute of the aforementioned match against Fulham, finally making his long-awaited return as Arsenal supporters cheered his first few touches on the field. Considering how long the Brazilian international’s lay-off was, it wouldn’t have been out of the ordinary if he had have sat out of training for a couple of days as he continues to get fully up to speed.
Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
However, this was not the case on Tuesday. In fact, Jesus was heavily involved in the session, pictured flying past two teammates and full of smiles in another image. It may be too early for the 25-year-old to start Thursday’s game against Sporting, although he will likely be involved in some capacity as Arteta looks to get his marquee summer signing back to full fitness for a crucial few months in the season.
Eddie Nketiah injury blow
One player that continues to be sidelined through injury is fellow centre-forward Eddie Nketiah. The Hale End academy graduate missed the matchday squad for the last three matches after picking up an ankle knock. Arteta has since admitted that he is unsure when Nketiah will return to action.
“We are assessing him,” the Spaniard said last week when discussing the 23-year-old. “It’s a bit uncertain what will happen with him to be honest in the training sessions.
“Let’s see, let’s keep the options open. He’s very positive about it and hopefully he’ll be fine.”
Unfortunately for the Gunners, Nketiah was again not pictured during Tuesday’s session, something that suggests he won’t be available against Sporting.
Midfield options
Arsenal playmaker Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe were also captured alongside each other during Tuesday’s session at London Colney. The two talented youngsters are still yet to start a single game together and perhaps Thursday would be the perfect chance to see how they would fit together.
Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira of Arsenal during a training session. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
They could potentially be utilised as no.8s on either side of holding midfielder Jorginho, although this may be too lightweight when it comes to defensive transitions. Smith Rowe’s versatility means he could be used on either flank, or even as a false nine.
When Arteta was asked if Gabriel Martinelli would play as the centre-forward in the first leg, the Spaniard replied: “We have alternatives – Emile can play in that position as well, we can move players and Reiss can give us width and threat in wider areas.”
