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An Arsenal behind-closed-doors friendly this international break could include five previously injured stars and final stage of recovery mapped out
Arsenal could be set to play a behind-closed-doors friendly over the international break as Mikel Arteta prepares to welcome back several members of his squad. The Gunners finished the recent run of matches with a frustrating draw at Sunderland.
Injuries are finally catching up to a side that has travelled to Prague and Burnley in the seven days before the trip to the Stadium of Light, with no recognised natural senior striker available. The break, therefore, allows many players to continue working on their recovery.
Arteta has often used behind-closed-door friendlies in the past as a way to help prepare his team, especially those returning from injury. With several individuals close to returning to fitness, could a similar exercise here be effective? This is the question that has surely been asked internally.
Gabriel Jesus is still some way back from a return, although he has now rejoined training with the group as he steps up recovery following surgery at the start of the year on his knee. Kai Havertz, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, and Gabriel Martinelli are all hoping to be involved in the North London Derby.
Naturally, with Spurs followed by Bayern Munich and Chelsea, these are not ideal matches for returning players to ease back into. Located next door to Watford’s training ground, which of course was the Gunners’ old turf, it could be The Hornets again face off against Arsenal.
Equally, the likes of Luton Town, Brentford, and Ipswich Town have all played friendlies at Arsenal’s training facilities in the past. With the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ben White and Kepa Arrizabalaga also back at base, there is the chance, with some members of the youth teams, to set up a good side.
Tottenham recently benefited as they gave Randal Kolo Muani a runout as he returned from injury in a friendly of their own. Their opponents, Watford, won the game 2-1, having brought a strong side, but the benefit for Thomas Frank was the key result, not the scoreline.
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