Bukayo Saka makes big step in Arsenal injury recovery as Mikel Arteta makes double Dubai decision

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Arsenal are set to fly on Thursday to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp just as they did during the previous season. Arsenal flew out at the beginning of January, the day after they were eliminated from a cup competition after a 2-0 defeat, in this case by Liverpool, sound familiar?

What would follow was a very impressive run of fixtures which amassed 17 wins across three competitions. They would drop points in just two league games, the draw at Manchester City and defeat at home to Aston Villa.

There was little doubt that the trip was a big help and allowed players to rest and recover – with hope this will be the case again. Arsenal are missing some key players from the group and some will not be with the team.

Gabriel Jesus who is missing with a severe knee injury is not expected to travel and he will continue his rehabilitation after having surgery. While confirmation on whether Takehiro Tomiyasu will be making the trip is yet to come.

football.london understands, however, that both Ben White and Bukayo Saka are expected to both be with the team for the trip barring any late changes. Both players have been out with their own injuries, knee and hamstring, respectively, which required procedures for many months.

Having both on the trip is a very positive sign regarding their pathway back from recovery. Arteta was most recently asked for an update ahead of the game with Newcastle, in which while dismissive of an imminent Saka return, did give positive news of White.

“There’s no news from the game against City,” he said. “Ben [White] is still out. Hopefully, after the break, he will be available, Saka not yet.”

We, therefore will hope perhaps to see images where Ben White is included in first-team training. Last year was the first time we saw Jurrien Timber with the squad and doing some ball work, although he would not make it back until the final game of the campaign.

Hopefully, that will not be the case for Saka, but we will wait with bated breath the pictures from Dubai that might give us some clues. There is a sense that the trip is no guarantee that suddenly Arsenal will be a similar ruthless consistent force like last time.

While a hugely beneficial and aptly-timed break, the Gunners are simply not in as strong a position, especially regarding the squad. Gabriel Martinelli’s hamstring injury is also a concern and he is due to undergo an MRI scan to determine the extent of the problem - however, it is understood he too is expected to be there.

Players will be afforded social time with some family members of the squad also making the trip. The benefit of the break is to allow for a mental boost as well as a physical one.

Arsenal return from the trip on Tuesday. They will then kickstart their preparations for the trip to Leicester from the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

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