Ahead of Arsenal’s warm-weather training camp in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, manager Mikel Arteta has told his players to bring their wives, children, and other family members on the trip.
The first Premier League winter break started this week after a busy festive period and in an effort to stay fit and energised during the break, some English clubs have embarked on trips to Dubai while others jet to Spain. The Gunners do not play again until February 16 when they face Newcastle in the Premier League.
Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira is already in Dubai and will be joined by the rest of the club’s first-team on Thursday for four days. Arteta has, however, invited them to bring their loved ones with them. He is optimistic that the trip will change the tide in their disappointing season after 0-0 draw at Burnley on Sunday leaves them 10th in the Premier League. The stalemate puts Arsenal 10 points adrift of fourth place and have won just six of their 25 league games this season, there lowest amount at this stage since 1913.
Speaking on his decision, the Spaniard said the last two-three months have been tough for his players so he wants to give them a few days off before travelling to Dubai for training.
Arteta told the club’s website: “It’s good to go away, the players have been through a lot.
“The last two-three months have been tough for them so I want to give them a few days off. Then we’re going to go to Dubai, start working and focus on Newcastle.
“We have to improve quality-wise. We’re very far in terms of what I want in sustaining attacks and being unpredictable in our play, but that’s a process.
“In the next two weeks, we have longer periods for training and I’ll use them. We need some players back from injury and try our best to improve the team.”
