Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted that his players won't be able to have a single training session before the side face off against Leeds United on Sunday. It comes off the back of the Gunners going on their travels in the Europa League, having faced Bodo/Glimt on Thursday.
They registered a huge 1-0 win to ensure they stay top of the group after three games played, though they had to travel to and from the Arctic circle to do so. With such a quick turnaround to making yet another trip - though this time to Yorkshire rather than Norway - there won't be enough time for training amid the need for recovery surrounding the travel.
"There's no time," Arteta said on training before the game. "We give them ideas, some videos, get them active, recover them well and that's it, not much.
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"We have to travel there, back to London, and back to Leeds. We'll have an activation session on Saturday, but a training session? It's not possible."
It shows the challenges facing Arsenal this season compared to last, where they often had a free midweek due to their lack of involvement in Europe. It means Arteta will have to call upon a deeper squad if he wants to challenge for a potential title push as well as the top four.
Should continue to pick up results, they could go into the festive time of the year top of the league, due to the mid-season break that is offset for the World Cup. That adds further issues to the scheduling, though the manager claimed the current run of games they have is good practice.
"Well it’s going to be here but I think after the World Cup it’s going to be even worse. So I think it’s good preparation for what’s coming."
It remains to be seen how the squad react to the challenge of less time for recovery and training amongst the busy schedule still to come. However, it could prove to be key to achieving any of their goals this season.
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