The Arsenal squad are heading on a mid-season break as they prepare for a trip to Dubai for some warm-weather training.
The Gunners are hopeful that some sun, training and team bonding will give them a boost to recharge for the second half of the season.
It is a time that’s clearly needed, with Mikel Arteta recently adding: “We played so many games, we played so many games every three days and we knew that that was going to be a really high-intensity one [against Newcastle].”
The fixtures have piled up for Arsenal, but the week away could do them some good, as it did in 2024.
The trip to Dubai last year saw the side return with some incredible form, winning every game bar two from late January until the end of the Premier League season.
While the squad will require a similar run this time around, they will be boosted by some other familiar faces around for some team bonding.
Bukayo Saka and Ben White make Arsenal’s Dubai trip
Much like last year’s trip to Dubai, Arsenal have invited the injured players to join on them in making the flight.
There are four prominent injury concerns in the squad, with Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu those currently sidelined.
While the latter two weren’t spotted with the squad, making it unclear if they have made the flight, there has been a duo return.
Both Saka and White were pictured by the official Arsenal website with their teammates, making their way to Dubai.
The pair will be continuing their rehabilitation while in the sun, which will also allow for some bonding time with their teammates.
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When are Bukayo Saka and Ben White back from injury?
Both Saka and White are stepping up their return from injury, with the pair hopeful of a return to action some time soon.
The latter appears closest to a return, with Arteta claiming that he could be back after the break in Dubai.
White had undergone knee surgery in late November, required to deal with some long-standing injury pain he had suffered with.
A return for February had been touted, though it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to feature against Leicester City in the next Premier League clash.
As for Saka, his torn hamstring saw him put on crutches for a little while, with a long time watching from the side expected.
A return date around March has been mooted as a potential boost for the winger, with the next month all about building up his recovery and then his fitness levels.
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