Arsenal set to resume training after two-day break following defeat at Man City

Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing Arsenal squad will return to training on Wednesday after they were afforded 48 hours off following their crushing defeat at Manchester City.

Arteta has exploited a rare six-day break between matches to allow his players time to recharge ahead of a crucial period for the club in their quest for a first Premier League crown in 22 years.

Arsenal’s match against Newcastle at the Emirates on Saturday will be their 55th of a relentless season which will certainly peak at 62 games, and possibly one more, depending on whether they reach next month’s Champions League final.

The Gunners face Atletico Madrid over two legs as they bid to reach their first European showpiece in two decades.

Awaiting Arsenal in the final would be either Bayern Munich or Paris St Germain, who have both played seven times fewer than Arteta’s side so far this term.

Arsenal are on the brink of being displaced at the top of the Premier League following their 2-1 defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side at the Etihad Stadium.

A victory for City against Burnley at Turf Moor on Wednesday would end the Gunners’ 200-day reign at the summit this season with just five matches left.

In all, Arteta’s Arsenal, runners-up for the past three campaigns, have spent 539 days at the top of the table, with the Spaniard still awaiting his second trophy as manager following the club’s FA Cup triumph in 2020.

Arteta will hope to be boosted by the imminent return of Bukayo Saka following his period out with an Achilles injury.

Saka’s absence from the team has coincided with a downturn in form, with Arsenal claiming just one win across their last six matches without the influential winger.

However, there is an outside chance Saka could return this weekend against Newcastle. Defender Jurrien Timber, sidelined since he limped off with a groin problem against Everton on March 14, is also closing in on a comeback.

Meanwhile, Marli Salmon has committed his future to Arsenal by signing a pre-contract agreement that will see him finalise professional terms when he turns 17 in August.

The talented defender has made four first-team appearances since being handed his debut as a substitute in December’s Champions League win at Club Brugge. Salmon follows fellow 16-year-old Max Dowman in signing a pre-contract deal.