With their Carabao Cup semi-final pushed back, Arsenal's players and staff returned to training with a longer lead-up to their FA Cup trip to Nottingham Forest.
A Covid outbreak at Liverpool saw the first leg of the semi final postponed, with the Reds' manager Jurgen Klopp and number two Pep Lijnders both returning positive tests.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has also been suffering from Covid lately, missing the weekend defeat to Manchester City as a result, but the boss was back as his players returned to the training ground.
Arteta's involvement wasn't the only thing we noticed from the session, with a number of youngsters and fringe players joining those involved against City as the Gunners prepare for their return to action.
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Arteta's return
Arsenal gave a good account of themselves against Manchester City without their manager in the dugout, but having him back on the training ground will still be a boost.
The boss was spotted leading his players and giving out instructions on a one-to-one basis, showing no noticeable side-effects after his enforced absence.
With the Gunners facing a concerning fixture list pile-up, they'll be happy to have moved past the extra distraction.
Another chance for Patino
Charlie Patino's debut goal against Sunderland was the latest among a number of heart-warming academy stories for the Gunners this season.
The teenager needed just 10 minutes to get off the mark in the Carabao Cup quarter-final, and was seen getting stuck in during training.
He will hope for more involvement against Forest as the absence of AFCON-bound Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny leaves Arsenal with a gap in midfield.
More youngsters involved
Patino wasn't the only academy kid out training with the senior players, with Salah-Eddine Oulad M'hand and Omari Hutchinson among the others involved.
18-year-old midfielder Oulad M'hand is yet to make his senior Arsenal debut, but has featured in the Papa John's Trophy this season and was on the bench for the 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Leeds United in October.
Hutchinson has four goals and five assists from midfield in Premier League 2 this season, and will be hopeful of adding to his FA Youth Cup appearance in December with an outing in the senior version.
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Kolasinac and Chambers back
Sead Kolasinac and Calum Chambers both sat out the weekend loss against City, but the pair were back in training as they push for a return to action.
Chambers' most recent first team appearance came when he came off the bench to score against Leeds in the Carabao Cup in October, with Kolasinac's last Arsenal outing coming later that week in the league win at Leicester.
The Bosnian was injured on international duty in November, while Chambers' recent absence was Covid-related, but might we see one or both at the City Ground?
A shop window opportunity for Mari
Pablo Mari is Arsenal's forgotten man, having not stepped onto the pitch for the first team since back in September and only making the matchday squad for one of the Gunners' last 16 league games.
A January exit seems likely if a taker can be found, though the trail has gone a little quiet of late.
Arteta may want to give the Spaniard a run-out against Forest to remind potential suitors of his quality, with a view to getting a move over the line.
Contenders for the captaincy
With former club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang away at the Africa Cup of Nations, contenders to succeed the Gabon striker continue to make their case.
Arteta was keen to draw attention to the Gunners' leadership group, rather than immediately naming a new permanent captain, though Alexandre Lacazette has worn the armband in recent league games.
The Frenchman is out of contract in the summer, though, meaning he is free to speak to other clubs ahead of a potential end-of-season move.
It remains to be seen whether he will continue to captain the side if a new deal is not agreed.
