Saka, Tomiyasu, Timber: One player absent from training and another in strapping ahead of United vs Arsenal

Manchester United welcome Premier League leaders Arsenal to Old Trafford this Sunday, with both sides equally as desperate to claim the three points at stake.

The Gunners may sit atop the table now, but the title will remain with holders Manchester City if they win their remaining three fixtures. Therefore, there is absolutely no margin for error when they lock horns with United this weekend or Everton on the final day.

As for Erik ten Hag and his men, they’re on course to oversee a worst-ever Premier League finish on record. It currently stands at a seventh-placed finish under David Moyes in 2014 when the Reds finished on 64 points. However, given that they’re currently eighth-placed on 54 points with three games to play, they’re now unable to reach that tally.

Arsenal team news ahead of Old Trafford trip

Sky Sports News shared a brief team news update from Arsenal’s training session on Tuesday, revealing that Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has started the past three matches, was absent from the group taking part.

Elsewhere, top goalscorer Bukayo Saka was involved but did have his leg protectively strapped up after he was on the receiving end of a nasty challenge from Ryan Christie last time out. You would expect that he’s still fit to feature from the offset, and United will be well aware of the problems he could inflict.

No card was shown to Ryan Christie for this challenge on Bukayo Saka 🤕 pic.twitter.com/qMMCUN3HvV

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) May 4, 2024

A face that will be all too familiar to Erik ten Hag – and numerous players – is former Ajax stalwart Jurrien Timber. He has endured absolutely torrid luck on his maiden Arsenal season, as he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament tear just 50 minutes into his club debut last August.

Since completing his rehabilitation, the 22-year-old has been regaining match fitness with the U21s. He trained with the senior squad this week and could be in line to make his long-awaited return before the end of the term in order to get some minutes in his legs.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is currently not in training with Arsenal as the team prepares for a Sunday clash against Manchester United 🟥 pic.twitter.com/QOWp2ndPMs

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 7, 2024

Footage courtesy of Sky Sports News.