Arsenal trio Takehiro Tomiyasu, Emile Smith Rowe, and Kieran Tierney have all been spotted in training this week.

As we head into the final few days of Arsenal’s pre-season, the only negatives in the preparations so far have been all the injured players.

Normally, you hope that the summer break gives the players a chance to get fit, and you usually expect the majority of your squad to be healthy on day one of the new season – with the exception of those with serious breaks and ACL injuries.

Yet at various points throughout pre-season Arsenal have lost Fabio Vieira, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Emile Smith Rowe, Ben White, Rob Holding, and Marquinhos to injury issues.

There was also an injury doubt about Gabriel Jesus after the Chelsea game, but he immediately returned to training this week.

A few other players on that list have returned to the squad since their injuries, with White, Holding, and Marquinhos all making the teamsheet against Chelsea. There was further good news this week in training.

Tierney, Tomiyasu, and Smith Rowe were all pictured playing at least some part in training on Tuesday, ahead of Arsenal’s second-to-last friendly against Brentford on Wednesday.

That only leaves one player completely absent, new signing Vieira. Mikel Arteta said after the Chelsea game: “Fabio probably [needs] a little bit longer.

“I think he needs another week or so before he starts with the team but he’s been working hard and he’s been really unlucky to start his Arsenal career in this way but again he’s fitting in well.”

As for Tierney, Tomiyasu, and Smith Rowe, it’s good to see them back out on the grass, but I wouldn’t bet on any of them starting against Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season in just nine days.