Arsenal: Noni Madueke switch, Martin Zubimendi role and what we learned from open training | OneFootball

A number of absentees will concern fans, while one summer signing got a one-on-one chat with Mikel Arteta

On show: Arsenal open training

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Arsenal took part in an open training session at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday afternoon as they gear up for Saturday’s clash with Leeds.

Thousands of fans were in attendance and watched the players get put through their paces.

Mikel Arteta’s squad trained for an hour before signing autographs and posing for photos with supporters.

And, here, Standard Sport takes a look at three things we learned from the training session…

Injured: Kai Havertz

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Notable absentees

There were 22 outfield players and four goalkeepers involved in Wednesday’s session, but just as conspicuous were those not in attendance.

Kai Havertz missed the session due to a knee issue and is currently being assessed to learn the extent of the problem.

Christian Norgaard, who missed last week’s win at Old Trafford, was also absent and there was no Ben White either.

Arteta said after the victory against Manchester United that Norgaard had a “little issue”, but it is unclear why White was absent on Wednesday.

Jurrien Timber took part in the early part of the session, but he was not involved in the training match at the end of it.

Arteta is due to update on the fitness of all those players at a press conference on Friday afternoon.

After a terrible time with injuries last season, Arsenal fans will be hoping for good news.

Switch: Noni Madueke

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Madueke gets a chance on the right

Noni Madueke was signed this summer to provide competition for Arsenal on both wings.

So far, however, the England winger has only been used off the left when brought on by Arteta.

That is where Madueke played in both of Arsenal’s friendlies at Emirates Stadium earlier this month and against Manchester United last weekend.

The 23-year-old lined up there in the training game towards the end of Wednesday’s session, with Bukayo Saka on the other flank.

Intriguingly, however, the pair swapped sides midway through the game and Madueke was given a chance to play off the right.

Seeing Saka off the left was a rare sight, but it fits into Arteta’s desire for his side to be “unpredictable” this season.

Madueke will hope to start Saturday’s game with Leeds, especially as Gabriel Martinelli is struggling for form, and perhaps this was a glimpse of how Arsenal could line up.

Role: Martin Zubimendi

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Zubimendi importance underlined

Once the session had ended, the Arsenal players made their way towards the stands as fans flocked to get close to them.

One player, however, remained in the centre circle and spent over a minute deep in conversation with Arteta.

The player in question was Martin Zubimendi, who has been charged with being the conductor of Arsenal’s midfield this season.

Zubimendi was singled out during the training match and given a different colour bib from everyone else.

The Spaniard played for both sides during the game, depending on which team was in possession of the ball.

It ensured Zubimendi spent the whole match on the ball and trying to dictate the tempo of the game.

Arteta’s conversation with him afterwards was animated, with the Arsenal boss pointing and moving around in an attempt to seemingly show him where to be.

Zubimendi was always going to have a key role but, with Norgaard out, he is even more important right now.