Saka update, injury boost confirmed – Everything spotted in Arsenal training before Sunderland

Arsenal return to Premier League action against Sunderland on Saturday with some big updates emerging in their final training session before that clash

Mikel Arteta has been gearing up his Arsenal squad on the training pitches for their upcoming Premier League clash against Sunderland. The Gunners welcome Sunderland to Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon in search of extending their lead at the top to nine points.

It has already been a great week for Arsenal with a 1-0 Carabao Cup second leg victory over Chelsea sealing their spot in the final. Arteta was without Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard for that win, with fresh injury updates on the duo emerging on Friday.

Jurrien Timber played the full 90 minutes of that cup triumph, but sparked concern two days later when he was absent from training. Arteta was asked about all three and Max Dowman during his pre-match press conference with at least one boost confirmed.

With all of that being said, football.london has rounded up all the big things spotted from Arsenal's final training session before facing Sunderland.

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Saka update

Despite Arteta offering a positive update on Saka's hip injury, he was unsurprisingly not part of Arsenal's latest training session, just six days on from suffering the issue.

The Arsenal boss said on Friday: "His hip is much better and hopefully very soon he will be with us."

Alongside the visit of Sunderland, Saka is also expected to miss the trip to Brentford and FA Cup fourth round clash against Wigan. The plan looks to be a return for the North London Derby against Tottenham.

A league game against Wolves at Molineux is just a few days before that, with it therefore possible Saka could even feature in that fixture.

Timber boost confirmed

With Arteta having revealed that Timber is "fine", it was no surprise to see him prominently involved in training. His absence 24 hours prior was likely due to load management having played so many minutes over the last few weeks.

Had Timber been unavailable, Arteta would have had plenty of options to replace him with, but is likely pleased the Netherlands international is available.

A rest to help manage his load cannot be ruled out over the comings weeks though, with several fixtures in quick succession throughout February.

Rice and Saliba partnership

Arsenal's defence has proven to be elite over the last few seasons with William Saliba and Declan Rice key components to that.

Though the latter now takes up a more attacking role, he is still key to the Gunners keeping clean sheets. Unsurprisingly, to be so successful, there must be a strong relationship between all those involved.

Exactly that was evidenced in Arsenal training on Friday with one photo capturing Saliba and Rice enjoying a moment.

The latter is facing the camera with a big smile on his face while he gesticulates towards the Frenchman, who has his back to the photographer but it certainly would appear he also has a big grin as his arms are outstretched.