Timber setback fear, trio absent ahead of Man City - Things spotted in Arsenal training

Arsenal have ramped up trainingahead of their huge Premier League clash with Manchester City. The Gunners know that they will need to avoid defeat to have the best possible chance of setting up a run-in for the final nine games to win the league.

Mikel Arteta has been blessed with having several senior players to work with despite the ongoing international break. However, he has had to deal with three key players pulling out of duty for their countries with injury.

Arsenal have managed to give some game time to both Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey in the form of a behind-closed-doors friendly. Both played a half with Partey getting some extra minutes and both have since continued their work on fitness ahead of the run-in.

With that, Arsenal have released some images from the latest training session. Football.london has combed through those released to see if we could find some hints in this ever-so-important week.

Despite taking part in several training sessions over the past couple of weeks there was no sign of Jurrien Timber whatsoever. Some fans were surprised that the Dutch international was not included in the squad that faced QPR in the behind closed doors friendly with some concerned that he was further from a return than initial suggestions indicated.

The hope will be that his absence is simply an aversion to the camera as opposed to something more serious such as an injury setback. Mikel Arteta is sure to be asked for an update on things at his press conference at the end of the week.

Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli both withdrew from duty with Brazil before their friendlies. Martinelli suffered a cut against Sheffield United which meant he missed games against both Brentford and FC Porto whilst Gabriel