Leandro Trossard is back in training for Arsenal, but there were still three first-team players absent from Monday’s session pre-Bayer Leverkusen.
Arsenal held an open training session in front of the media on Monday morning, ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg match at home to Bayer Leverkusen.
The big news from the session is that Leandro Trossard was involved, as the winger closes in on a return from injury. Trossard missed the first leg and Arsenal’s win over Everton after picking up the problem in the FA Cup match away to Mansfield Town.
But balancing out that positive update was the more disappointing news than Jurrien Timber wasn’t involved, following the right-back’s injury in the Everton match. Martin Odegaard also remains absent.
Odegaard had said in the Arsenal programme last week that he’s “desperate to get back to playing”, adding: “It’s been difficult for me with the knee injury lately, but I’m working as hard as I can to get back to full fitness now.
“The main thing is to be 100% again, and make sure I can properly help the team.”
It looks like Arsenal still aren’t comfortable including the playmaker in full training yet, making him an early doubt for Sunday’s League Cup final against Manchester City, let alone Tuesday’s Champions League game.
The only other senior absentee on Monday was Mikel Merino, who is a long way off his own comeback.
The player posted on his Instagram page on Friday and revealed he’s been using crutches and a mobility scooter, so it will be months until he’s available.