Four Arsenal players absent from training after latest Bukayo Saka update

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday when they host Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium and the Gunners are sweating on the fitness of Bukayo Saka and captain Martin Odegaard

Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber were all absent from Arsenal training on Thursday morning ahead of the club's Premier League clash against Sunderland.

Saka has been missing since hobbling out of the warm-up at Elland Road last weekend when he appeared to pick up a hip issue.

The England international had to withdraw from the starting XI and he also sat out of Tuesday evening's 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final second leg triumph over rivals Chelsea.

Ahead of the game, Mikel Arteta revealed Saka would be undergoing further tests on Wednesday to determine a potential injury timeline.

Reports have indicated he's facing several weeks on the sidelines and that the attacker is targeting a return for the North London Derby against Tottenham.

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Arteta has sounded more positive on the issue though and has indicated that Saka could soon return to action.

Meanwhile, Odegaard's issue is believed to be minor and there's hope he could yet be back to face the Black Cats.

The issue is, Arsenal will only train once more before they face Sunderland this weekend, so Odegaard is evidently facing a race against the clock to prove his fitness.

Timber may well be resting following another tough shift at right-back against the Blues in which he helped Arsenal keep a clean sheet.

The other unsurprising absentee was Mikel Merino, who is due to undergo surgery after suffering a fractured bone in his foot.

There's optimism the Spaniard will be back before the end of the season, though it's still not guaranteed he'll be ready in time for the World Cup.

Arsenal are facing a busy February. After Sunderland they travel across London to Brentford in the Premier League. They then host Wigan Athletic in FA Cup fourth round action before travelling to Wolves.

Molineux was a scene of controversy last season as Myles Lewis-Skelly was shown a questionable straight red card before Riccardo Calafiori struck the winner for 10-man Arsenal. The Gunners then travel to Tottenham before hosting Chelsea on March 1.

Arsenal dropped points at the death against Sunderland back in November when Brian Brobbey snatched a point for the hosts deep into stoppage time at the Stadium of Light.

Saka and Leandro Trossard were both on target for the Gunners, who had trailed to former academy starlet Dan Ballard's opener.