Ahead of their upcoming FA Cup fixture against Mansfield Town, Arsenal faced a notable absence of at least eight first-team players during training sessions. Mikel Merino continues his recovery from foot surgery, while William Saliba, Ben White, and Martin Ødegaard remain questionable due to ongoing injury concerns. Additionally, Declan Rice, Jurriën Timber, Gabriel Magalhães, and Martín Zubimendi were absent from training. Despite these absences, early indications suggest that the players may have been rested strategically as head coach Mikel Arteta prepares to rotate the squad amid a demanding fixture schedule. Arsenal are actively competing on four fronts this season. Following the FA Cup clash with Mansfield, they face Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie midweek. Immediately after the trip to Germany, the Gunners return home to face Everton, continuing their pursuit of the Premier League title. The careful rotation of players is a tactical decision designed to maintain squad fitness and performance, ensuring Arsenal remains competitive in both domestic and European competitions.
