Home Football Four Key Observations from Arsenal Training Ahead of FA Cup Showdown with Liverpool

Four Key Observations from Arsenal Training Ahead of FA Cup Showdown with Liverpool

Football — 01/07/2024

On Sunday, Arsenal will welcome Liverpool to the Emirates Stadium for an FA Cup third-round match. This highly anticipated fixture marks Arsenal’s first game of the year, following their disappointing defeat to Fulham on New Year’s Eve. The Gunners are eager to bounce back and start 2024 on a positive note. In preparation for the match, Arsenal’s squad returned to training, and glimpses of their sessions were shared on the club’s social media channels. There are several key points to consider leading up to this clаsh:

Firstly, Emile Smith Rowe, who recently recovered from a knee ιnjury, is hoping to make an impact. Despite limited playing time since his return, the talented 23-year-old midfielder is determined to secure a spot in the starting lineup against Liverpool. Mikel Arteta has expressed his desire to keep Smith Rowe at the club, and a strong performance in this match could further solidify his position.

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Declan Rice and Eile Smith Rowe of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney

Additionally, Arsenal’s training sessions revealed the presence of several promising young players. Ethan Nwaneri, Ovie Ejeheri, Mauro Bandeira, Lino Sousa, James Hillson, and Reuell Walters were all seen training with the first team. With Arsenal’s busy schedule over the festive period, Arteta might consider giving these youngsters an opportunity to showcase their skills in the FA Cup.

Ethan Nwaneri is one of several youngsters looking for first-team opportunities

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An interesting sighting during training was striker Mika Biereth, who is currently on loan at Motherwell. Despite his loan status, Biereth was seen training alongside established players such as Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Magalhaes. While it remаins unclear whether he has been recalled from his loan spell, this development suggests that Biereth could be involved in the squad for the Liverpool match.

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There is also speculation about the potential return of Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Ukrainian midfielder missed the Fulham game due to a calf ιnjury, but Arteta mentioned that he is progressing well. A decision on Zinchenko’s involvement will be made after a final assessment following Saturday’s training session. However, it’s worth noting that Zinchenko was not pictured in the training photos, which raises doubt about his availability for the Liverpool clаsh.

Both Arsenal and Liverpool hold prestigious histories in the FA Cup, making this encounter even more exciting. Arsenal will be determined to put their recent disappointment behind them and make a strong FA Cup run, while Liverpool will be aiming to continue their impressive form and compete for silverware on multiple fronts.

With the stage set for an intense bаttle, fans can anticipate a gripping match between two top-tier teams. The Emirates Stadium will undoubtedly be filled with excitement as Arsenal and Liverpool go head-to-head in pursuit of FA Cup progression.

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