BUKAYO SAKA and Gabriel Martinelli both missed training this morning ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash away at PSV.
Martinelli was absent from the Gunners’ final session before they fly to the Netherlands later today due to illness and is unlikely to travel.
Saka was also missing owing to a foot knock, but is expected to make the squad to face the Dutch outfit in Tuesday’s Group B dead rubber.
A further boost for boss Mikel Arteta is that Emile Smith Rowe was spotted training with the main group at London Colney, and could also be in line to face PSV.
Smith Rowe has been out since October with a knee issue in what has been an injury-ravaged period for the midfielder – but there is hope that is fully behind him for now.
He has made just four Premier League appearances this campaign, the only start coming in October at home to Sheffield United – as well as playing 19 minutes of football in Europe.
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Arteta could do with Smith Rowe getting up to speed sooner rather than later ahead of a hectic couple of weeks in this busy festive period.
After a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday night, Arteta must navigate a tricky clash with Brighton at home on Sunday before a trip to league leaders Liverpool next weekend.
The Gunners could potentially field a second string starting XI against PSV having already guaranteed top spot – giving several key players some much-needed rest time.
Fringe players Reiss Nelson, Mohamed Elneny, Jakub Kiwior, Leandro Trossard, Eddie Nketiah, Jorginho and Aaron Ramsdale may all be thrown in.
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Several Arsenal academy stars could also make the squad with a chance of earning a European debut, including Ethan Nwaneri, 16 and Myles Lewis-Skelly, 17.
Arsenal secured top spot in their Champions League group last month with a 6-0 win over Lens.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
