Four things noticed from Arsenal training ahead of Liverpool FA Cup showdown
Arsenal are set to be in action for the first time this year when they host Liverpool in an FA Cup third-round tie on Sunday.
The Gunners last played on New Year's Eve, where they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Fulham, but will be hoping they can get back to winning ways against the Reds. Arsenal were back in training today ahead of the fixture as Mikel Arteta weighs up how strong a side to name.
Much of the training session was documented across Arsenal's social media channels and Mirror Football has taken a look at five talking points ahead of the fixture.
Smith Rowe eyes rare start
Emile Smith Rowe missed several games over the last two months with a knee injury, but the 23-year-old is back in action and raring to go. He has only made three appearances off the bench since returning and will be hoping to make just his third start of the season against Liverpool.
Arteta insisted in his pre-match press conference that Smith Rowe leaving the club over the summer was "never part of our plans" despite his recent lack of game time with the January window now open he may need to offer him more minutes to persuade him to stay.
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Emile Smith Rowe (R) is hoping for a rare start against Liverpool (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Youngsters keen for an opportunity
Several youngsters who will be hoping to get an opportunity were pictured in training, with Ethan Nwaneri, Ovie Ejeheri, Mauro Bandeira, Lino Sousa, James Hillson and Reuell Walters all spotted by fans.
And with the Gunners coming off a run of three games across just eight days over Christmas and New Year, Arteta could be tempted to give some of his young players an opportunity in the FA Cup.
Ethan Nwaneri is one of several youngsters looking for first-team opportunities (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Biereth spotted
Fans also spotted what appeared to be striker Mika Biereth training with the first team, with the 20-year-old seemingly pictured alongside the likes of Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Magalhaes.
It is an interesting development given that Biereth is currently on loan at Motherwell, where he has made 11 goal contributions across 15 games, and there has been no suggestion he has been recalled. However, Scottish Premiership clubs are currently enjoying a winter break and Biereth may simply be training with his parent club until Motherwell return to action.
Mika Biereth was spotted in training (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Zinchenko to return?
Arteta also said in his press conference that Oleksandr Zinchenko could make his return from injury against Liverpool. Zinchenko missed the Fulham game with a calf problem, but Arteta said he was "progressing well" and a decision would be made on his involvement following Saturday's training session.
However, the 27-year-old was not pictured by club media in any photos from the session, suggesting he may not be involved against Liverpool. Of course, Zinchenko's absence from the photos does not mean he did not train and he could still feature on Sunday.
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