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Football London
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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Arsenal and Mikel Arteta handed massive triple injury boost ahead of Slavia Prague clash

Arsenal have been handed a timely boost ahead of Thursday night's Europa League quarter-final first-leg tie against Slavia Prague.

Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Granit Xhaka have all taken part in a full training session at London Colney.

The trio missed Saturday's 3-0 Premier League defeat against Liverpool through injury and illness respectively and manager Mikel Arteta wasn't sure if any would be available for the Europa League clash.

"I don’t know," Arteta said when asked if the trio were in contention to return against the Czech Republic outfit. "Today I cannot answer to that because I don’t know."

Arsenal: Arteta's verdict after defeat to Liverpool

Well, it would appear that a few days is all Arsenal needed.

A six-minute 'Inside Training' video has been uploaded to the club's official website and Saka, Smith Rowe, and Xhaka are all involved which would suggest they'll be in contention to face Slavia Prague.

With that said, Saka was spotted in Friday's session at London Colney prior to the Liverpool clash, but was not risked by Arteta who went with Nicolas Pepe in attack.

Should the 19-year-old and Smith Rowe return to the starting XI, it will make the Gunners a lot stronger compared to the team that took to the field last weekend.

That is according to Manchester United legend Gary Neville.

"You just think you have Ceballos, Odegaard, Pepe, Lacazette, and Aubameyang all in the same team," Neville said. "You’d have to say, really, they’re a bit flaky out of possession, their strengths are with the ball.

"It certainly weakens Arsenal, you can see it here.

"It’s alarming to see the drop off than when you see the likes of Smith Rowe and Saka playing."

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