Odegaard hint, Saka injury update, new Calafiori role - Three things spotted in Arsenal training

Mikel Arteta will have an extended period on the Arsenal training pitches with several key players. The Gunners have endured a mixed campaign with some big injuries impacting Arteta and only one competition really left to fight for.

Liverpool sit 15 points above Arsenal in the Premier League title race and they're also out of both domestic cup competitions - which just leaves the Champions League. A spot in the quarter-final is all-but confirmed with the Gunners up 7-1 from the first leg of their last-16 tie with PSV.

One of Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid will take on Arteta's side in the next round with the Arsenal boss hoping to have key players back and at full fitness. Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli have recently returned from injury issues while there is hope that Bukayo Saka can return to the fold in early April.

With all of that being said, football.london has taken a look at the important things spotted from Arsenal training at London Colney.

Saka update

Following the return of Martinelli, there is hope that Saka will not be too far behind, especially factoring in an Arteta update just a few weeks ago.

However, perhaps not too unsurprisingly, the England forward could not be seen in any of the pictures from Arsenal's latest training session. A return to full training is expected in the next few weeks, but it's plausible he makes a partial return sooner rather than later.

It's perhaps more likely that phase of his recovery occurs during March's international break with Arteta then able to ease him back in steadily both on the grass at London Colney and in their two league games before a European quarter-final.

Odegaard hint

Despite their significant lead, Arteta will undoubtedly remain professional and ensure a competitive side is put out to win the second leg. Rotation is still likely, however, with club captain Martin Odegaard one of those that could be named on the bench.

In several of the photos uploaded, a portion of Arsenal stars are wearing orange bibs. While no one really knows what team Arteta may pick, Ben White and Raheem Sterling are two very likely to start and both were in bibs.

Odegaard, meanwhile, was not wearing one which makes it possible he is rested with club's often organising small-sided games where the starting team plays against those just in the squad.

New Calafiori role

Using that same bib theory, Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Kieran Tierney could all be in the starting XI. The trio have all played at left-back this season, but their versatility makes them options in other positions.

Lewis-Skelly playing in midfield is a real possibility and while Tierney has shown in brief cameos what he is capable of further forward, Calafiori has surprisingly shown himself as an elite finisher. With three goals to his name this season, all of which were first-time finishes, the Italian could be deployed up top.

The Mikel Merino experiment has come with mixed results and therefore Arteta could well be tempted to trial a different player in the middle of his front-three.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
UEFA Champions League
Watch Arsenal vs PSV on TNT Sports

Arsenal face PSV Eindhoven in the- second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on March 12.

The game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports, which costs £30.99 on a rolling monthly basis via Discovery+ Premium and also includes the Europa League and Conference League.

£30.99

TNT Sports/Discovery+
Get TNT Sports here