Arsenal have completed their preparations for Sunday afternoon's clash against Southampton.
The Gunners go into the game at St Mary's on the back of three successive 1-0 wins over Bodo/Glimt, Leeds United and PSV Eindhoven which has seen them qualify for the Europa League knockout phase whilst also keeping their position at the top of the Premier League table.
And in search of a ninth straight win across all competitions, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and his coaching staff put the first-team squad through their paces during a training session at London Colney on Saturday, with media footage released to get fans in the mood for an afternoon kick-off on the South Coast.
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Bukayo Saka injury, Tierney vs Tomiyasu, Maitland-Niles future
Prior to the session, the Spaniard confirmed a double injury boost with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka expected to be fit, although he couldn't reveal if Oleksandr Zinchenko would be available for selection after missing the last five games across all competitions with a calf muscle problem.
"I think [Zinchenko] is close. He’s getting better and better and he’s progressing really well," Arteta told reporters. "He had a setback on the injury that he had at the start of the season, which is a shame, but knowing Alex, he will be back very soon."
"I think he’s [Saka] fine. I think he was struggling a bit at the end [against PSV], but hopefully he will be fine for Sunday. He [Martinelli] had a tough week. He wasn’t feeling great during the week, but towards the day before the game, he was already feeling better and that’s why we decided to play him a little bit."
Now, the good news, as first revealed by Arsenal's official Instagram account, is that Saka and Martinelli both took part in Saturday's session alongside the likes of Ben White, Marquinhos, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu, William Saliba, captain Martin Odegaard, Fabio Vieira and Rob Holding.
For the rest of the first-team squad - aside from injured midfield pair Emile Smith Rowe and Mohamed Elneny - it was back to work at London Colney after the 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League on Thursday night and below is what else football.london spotted from the latest session.
Zinchenko absent
Not for the first time this month, there was no sign of Zinchenko in this particular training session and if recent history is any indicator then it looks like he will play no part against Southampton. However, it is worth considering that he started the North London Derby win over Tottenham and the loss at Man United without being spotted in training prior to both games.
Lokonga pictured
One player who will be in contention to feature against the Saints is Albert Sambi Lokonga. The midfielder hasn't started a Premier League game since that defeat at Old Trafford but has been a regular in the Europa League team, playing his part in helping the Gunners qualify from Group A.
Even though he is likely to make way for Thomas Partey at the base of Arsenal's midfield at St Mary's, Lokonga was understandably in a great mood when being pictured taking part in training on Saturday as it was his 23rd birthday and what better present can there be other than three points?
Gabriel's mood and who Gabriel Jesus laughed at
Speaking of players in a positive mood, that brings us to Gabriel Magalhaes. Fresh after signing a new long-term contract with the north London outfit on Friday, the central defender was back to work less than 24 hours and was first pictured alongside Saliba and Holding.
He then joined Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos, Martinelli and Fabio Vieira on the training pitches outside and appeared to be having the time of his life as the Arsenal no.9, in particular, could be seen making fun of someone (out of shot) as he was pointing and laughing at a teammate.
Big balls
As seen in the tweet above, the big balls made an appearance during Saturday's training session at London Colney with White, Holding, Odegaard and Saliba all seemingly enjoying whatever drill that took place. It would also appear that Reiss Nelson was part of the winning side alongside Saka, Tomiyasu, Partey and Odegaard.
Smith called up
On several occasions so far this season, Mikel Arteta has called up some of the club's most promising youngsters such as Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa, Reuell Walters, Taylor Foran, Catalin Cirjan, Khayon Edwards and Amario Cozier-Duberry to train with the first-team squad.
Some have gone on to make the matchday squad, whilst in Nwaneri's case, he was handed his senior debut aged 15 against Brentford last month. But judging by the images via Arsenal.com it would appear that Matt Smith was the sole youngster taking part in Saturday's session.
READ NEXT:
The five Southampton players Ralph Hasenhuttl is without for Premier League clash vs Arsenal
Arsenal given huge injury boost as Mikel Arteta provides Saka and Martinelli update
Arsenal line ups vs Southampton as Saka starts, Tomiyasu or Tierney decision, Saliba returns
Albert Sambi Lokonga can save Arsenal career but he needs to change previous transfer decision
Arsenal star 'disappointed' at major manager call amid Mikel Arteta's Ben White decision
