Arsenal jetted off to Dubai on Thursday morning, as Mikel Arteta looks to rejuvenize a fatigued squad.
The Gunners have endured a difficult season thus far, plagued by injury, suspension and some frustrating results.
Newcastle comfortably beat Arsenal on Wednesday night at St. James’ Park, ending Arteta’s side’s domestic cup exploits for the campaign.
The FA Cup exit against Manchester United in January has opened up the next ten days in the calendar for Arsenal to embark on a warm-weather training camp in the Middle East.
Arsenal fans are delighted about Dubai trip
Arsenal flew to Dubai with a big squad on Thursday, with the injured Ben White and Bukayo Saka among those on the plane.
The trip to the United Arab Emirates has become something of a mid-season tradition under Arteta, and sparked an exceptional run of form for the Gunners last term.
After returning from Dubai last campaign, Arsenal won 16 of their remaining 18 Premier League games.
Inevitably, memories of this set of results have sparked excitement amongst the North Londoners’ faithful at the prospect of the team replicating this form post Dubai this time around.
After playing every three days since November, fans believe the training camp abroad could be exactly what Arsenal need.
One supporter wrote on X: “Arsenal visit to Dubai last season gave them a new charge , they have gone to Dubai again. I’m hoping they push Liverpool to the title this time -Liverpool have not won the League yet.”
Another added: “Arsenal have had an intense run, Dubai needs to rest and recharge everyone. Tets has rebranded us as a club that thinks it can win the PL & CL. We’re 2nd in PL, 3rd (qualified) in CL. The squad is thin, our style mostly controlled, let’s see if ‘steady’ is enough. Spark needed.”
One fan simply wrote: “Arsenal After Dubai >>>>>>>>>,” while another posited, “Arsenal going to Dubai again. Watch out Liverpool.”
Another supporter claimed the Dubai trip will give Arteta the opportunity to work on set-pieces, which have been less threatening for Arsenal in recent weeks.
They wrote: “Perfect time for Arsenal to recharge and fine-tune those set-pieces! Dubai vibes, but focus on the finish line!”
White returned to training on Friday morning in Dubai, after missing multiple months of action with a knee injury.
One fan picked up on White’s return and jumped on the positive feeling around Arsenal’s trip, joking: “No better way to get Ben White fit than suggesting a trip to Dubai.”
Arsenals’ squad for Dubai trip
Arteta has opted to bring a huge ensemble of players to Dubai, in what will likely be a team bonding experience as much as it is a training camp.
White and Saka made the trip as they near returns to the pitch, while the Arsenal boss also selected a handful of academy players to accompany the senior figures in the group.
The likes of Josh Nichols, Jack Porter and Max Dowman have travelled with the Gunners, and will get the opportunity to impress Arteta over the next week.
Gabriel Martinelli is also in Dubai, despite sustaining a hamstring injury against Newcastle on Wednesday night.
Expected squad: Raya, Neto, Setford, Porter; White, Timber, Tomiyasu, Rosiak, Nichols, Gabriel, Kiwior, Saliba, Zinchenko, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly, Calafiori; Jorginho, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Dowman, Merino; Nwaneri, Sagoe Jr, Butler-Oyedeji, Saka, Jesus, Havertz, Trossard, Martinelli, Sterling.
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