Mikel Arteta keen on warm-weather camp for Arsenal after ‘super-busy schedule’
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Arsenal are close to formalising a warm-weather training camp in Dubai following their emphatic 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb which put them on the brink of automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16. Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard scored in a comfortable win at the Emirates Stadium which meant Arsenal could even afford to lose their final group fixture in Girona next week and still be assured of a direct passage through to the next phase.
Arsenal will face Newcastle in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final at St James’ Park on February 5. But their exit from the FA Cup, and likely assurance of not being involved in a two-legged knockout match to reach the last 16 in Europe, means they are set to have a 10-day break before they return to action in the Premier League against Leicester.
Arsenal headed to Dubai for a week-long training camp a year ago – a decision which transformed their season as they dropped only four points in their final 18 league fixtures. The success of last season’s winter break has fuelled belief of the importance of another camp next month – particularly in the wake of the team’s jam-packed fixture list coming off the back of last summer’s European Championship.
However, it is understood the club are also aware that a break in the Middle East will not necessarily provide them with the silver bullet needed to end their two-decade wait for a title, given Liverpool’s impressive run in the league. Arsenal are currently six points behind Arne Slot’s men having played a match more.
