Key Players Return To Training For Arsenal As Season Looms

Key players have been spotted in training this week for Arsenal.

Takehiro Tomiyasu, Emile Smith Rowe and Kieran Tierney appear to have all returned from injuries as the season looms.

Tierney is still recovering from a knee injury sustained towards the end of last season.

The left-back required surgery and the club have treated his return, understandably, with caution.

Tierney hasn't featured in any of Arsenal's pre-season games in the US, while just playing 30 minutes in Arsenal's game against 1.FC Nurnberg.

It's not clear if the defender suffered a set-back but Mikel Arteta was coy when asked about his fitness, labelling Tierney as:

"Not fit".

However, the Scot does appear to have returned to first team training, as he looks to battle new signing Oleksandr Zinchenko for the starting left-back spot.

🚨 Kieran Tierney back in Arsenal training at London Colney today. #afc pic.twitter.com/IT9N7T1HrB

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 26, 2022

Smith Rowe has also suffered injury issues recently, picking up frequent knocks that kept him out of the team in the latter stages of the season.

The 21-year-old started the season in incredible fashion, but his form dropped off in the second half of the season, coinciding with his injuries.

Gabriel Martinelli has seemed to move into pole position for the left-wing spot but Smith Rowe cannot be written off, if he manages to gain his fitness back.

Sambi 🤝 The Smith. 🇧🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@Stuart_PhotoAFC] #afc pic.twitter.com/BFXcKQM4Er

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 26, 2022

Tomiyasu was spotted in training by eagle-eyed fans, who spotted the Japanese full-back in the background.

Similarly to Smith Rowe, Tomiyasu started last season in superb form.

Arsenal had bought the 23-year-old in from Bologna on deadline day, and the defender hit the ground running.

Great in build-up, defensively astute and monstrous in his duals, Tomiyasu looked to be a phenomenal buy.

However, injuries hit the defender hard and he missed almost half the season with calf problems.

🚨 Takehiro Tomiyasu, spotted amongst the group, in Arsenal training at London Colney today. [@jeorgebird] #afc pic.twitter.com/Z1KASKqNjG

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) July 26, 2022

This season, Arsenal will be hoping Tomiyasu can return to his best and retake his place in the team.

Injuries were a big problem for Arsenal last season, but fans will be encouraged by the sights of their players back in training.