Arsenal are set to receive a major training boost this week as Gabriel Martinelli, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Granit Xhaka are all ready to jet out to Dubai to reunite with Mikel Arteta.
According to Football London, the trio, who all competed in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, will all join up with the Arsenal first-team out in the Middle East as part of a mid-season training camp, with Martinelli, Tomiyasu and Xhaka all returning from Qatar with a clean bill of health.
England’s elimination last night meant that William Saliba is the last player in Arsenal’s squad to be left standing in the World Cup, with Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale both set to have some time off after their efforts for the Three Lions at the World Cup.
The same can’t be said for Martinelli, Tomiyasu and Xhaka, though, as the trio all look ready to return to club football after their disappointing exits from the World Cup, with Ben White and Thomas Partey already joining up with Arteta’s squad this weekend.
With Arsenal set to return to Premier League action on Boxing Day against West Ham, having a fully-fit squad will be of the upmost importance for the north London side if they’re to keep their place at the top of the English top-flight, with Gabriel Jesus already ruled out well into 2023.
The Brazilian international suffered a knee injury that required surgery at the World Cup, yet this has so far been Arsenal’s only major loss from the competition, with the returns of Martinelli, Tomiyasu and Xhaka to training a massive boost for Arteta.
World Cup trio returning is exactly what Arteta wants this week
Arsenal might have been struck hard with the World Cup injury curse with Jesus out for the next few months, but the returns of Martinelli, Tomiyasu and Xhaka is exactly what manager Arteta would have wanted following the Brazilian’s setback.
The three players returning this week are all important players, with Martinelli and Xhaka likely to start for the Gunners against West Ham on Boxing Day. And Arteta will be sure to keep the trio protected until the return of the Premier League at the end of this month.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
