Declan Rice and Gabriel among eight Arsenal players missing in training ahead of Mansfield

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Martin Zubimendi, Gabriel and Declan Rice were all missing from Arsenal's training session before their FA Cup clash with Mansfield Town

Arsenal have completed their final training session before their trip to the East Midlands in the FA Cup fifth round, where they will face Mansfield Town. The Gunners have a tricky test ahead of them with the League One side having already eliminated Premier League Burnley from the competition.

The game comes at a good time for Mikel Arteta, who has just seen his team secure a vital 1-0 win over Brighton in the Premier League. The victory coincided with Manchester City dropping points at home to Nottingham Forest, handing the Gunners a seven-point lead.

Heading out to train before this trip to Mansfield, the expectation is that some players would be missing for the game. Mikel Merino is a long-term absentee, while Martin Odegaard remains out for the short term, with doubts over William Saliba that were confirmed by his absence from the training session streamed on Arsenal’s new app.

Ben White was also again nowhere to be seen. Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice were also missing, however, this again could be a sign of players being afforded rest instead of concerns over injuries.

It was encouraging to see both Kai Havertz and Max Dowman involved in the group’s activities, given that the pair have only just returned from injury. Dowman could get his first appearance for the senior team of the year after he suffered a significant ankle injury in December during a behind-closed-doors friendly.

Andre Harriman-Annous was spotted training again with the senior squad, as was Marli Salmon.