Saka, Odegaard and Timber miss Arsenal open session before Sunderland visit | OneFootball

Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber were absent from Arsenal’s open training session on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Sunderland. According to Sunderland Echo, the trio did not take part as the Gunners worked in front of the media.

Sunderland head to the Emirates looking to build on their 2-2 draw with the league leaders at the Stadium of Light in November.

Saka has not featured since he limped out of the warm-up against Leeds United on 31 January. Odegaard also sat out Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea through injury. Timber completed 90 minutes in that tie, and no reason was given for his absence from Thursday’s session.

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris said deadline-day arrival Nilson Angulo was due in on Thursday evening and could be involved at the weekend. He explained that the forward is fit after plenty of recent minutes, with involvement dependent on how quickly he connects with team-mates.

Le Bris added that Omar Alderete is available after his precautionary late withdrawal in Monday’s 3-0 win over Burnley.

Assessing the trip, Le Bris said Sunderland must show their best version with an underdog mindset against a side he called outstanding domestically and in Europe. He described it as a tough, exciting challenge and said the required level is very high, adding that his team will try their best.

Source: Sunderland Echo