Arsenal finally had the chance to recharge their batteries after such a busy festive fixture schedule. The North Londoners will have started preparations for their upcoming clash against Leicester City in the Premier League, as they look to narrow Liverpool's lead in the title race.
Arteta's side are currently six points adrift of the Reds, who sit at the top of the table. However, Liverpool have a game in hand against Everton on Wednesday night – which could prove significant by the end of the season.
So, with that being said, football.london has looked at five things that you may have missed from Arsenal's final training session in Dubai.
Arsenal continue work on set-pieces
Arsenal were spotted working hard on their set-pieces. In the picture below, 10 players in orange bibs can be seen in or around the box. Unless Nicolas Jover plans to employ a new ultra-attack-minded corner tactic, it's likely the Gunners were practicing how to set up defensively.
Declan Rice prepares to take a corner
Havertz, Martinelli and Tomiyasu absent
Neither Gabriel Martinelli, Takehiro Tomiyasu nor Kai Havertz were spotted in Arsenal training. The former suffered a hamstring during Arsenal's clash against Newcastle in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday night.
"Yes, he felt something," confirmed Arteta, speaking to reporters after the game. "I think it was his hamstring and he wasn't comfortable to continue so we'll have to do an MRI scan tomorrow to see the extent of the injury."
Meanwhile, Tomiyasu remains out of action with a knee injury. The 26-year-old defender missed the large majority of last season with a calf problem and he's played just six minutes this term.
As for Havertz, he was simply nowhere to be seen in the club's latest pictures. Interestingly, the 25-year-old forward has previously been spotted in Arsenal training at the NAS Sports Complex. Perhaps he just felt a bit camera shy...
Calafiori recruits new Arsenal striker
During some time down time, Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Martinelli recruited a new striker for Mikel Arteta! A social media influencer and football freestyler called Mo Omar, who has over half a million followers on TikTok, performed some tricks for the Arsenal duo.
Calafiori and Martinelli were amazed by Mo Omar's skills, with the latter comparing him to Ronaldinho. After he finished his performance, the former joked that he would ask Arteta to 'sign him up'! You can watch the TikTok for yourself here.
White builds his match fitness
Ben White was spotted on an exercise bike as he continues to rebuild his match fitness. The 27-year-old defender has been sidelined since November after having surgery on a knee injury.
While his absence has fast-tracked Myles Lewis-Skelly into the starting lineup, Arsenal have missed White in the backline. His return to action in the next few weeks will come as a huge boost for Arteta.
Arteta, Odegaard and Gabriel in high spirits
Arteta was in high spirits, as were Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Magalhães. The trio were often seen with beaming smiles on their faces, soaking up the sun before they head back an overcast North London
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