Arsenal on red alert over training workloads with Mikel Arteta carefully managing his stars after last season's title bid was derailed by injuries - and some players are using private sessions to ensure peak fitness

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By Sami Mokbel for MailOnline

Published: 18:52 GMT, 4 December 2023 | Updated: 18:52 GMT, 4 December 2023

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is carefully managing his title chasing squad’s training workload to ensure their championship charge stays on track.

The Gunners are top of the Premier League, two points clear of second placed Liverpool after 14 matches.

The north London club’s promising position comes despite suffering a clutch of injuries to key players throughout the early weeks of the season.

Most recently key defenders Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White have been struck by injury concerns and are among those whose workloads are being meticulously monitored to ensure their availability ahead of hectic run of matches.

Arteta says he will make a late decision on Tomiyasu’s availability ahead of Tuesday’s clash at Luton after the Japan international limped off with a suspected calf issue against Wolves on Saturday. Tomiyasu has undergone a scan.

Mikel Arteta is managing his squad’s training load to ensure their title charge stays on track

Takehiro Tomiyasu limped off with a suspected calf issue against Wolves on Saturday putting his participation in Tuesday's game at Kenilworth Road in doubt

Arteta revealed that defender Ben White is feeling 'perfect' following his fitness concerns

The Arsenal head coach also said on Monday that White, whose recent availability has been impacted due to what Arteta says is a ‘muscular’ problem, is feeling ‘perfect’ following his fitness concerns.

Arsenal have a long list of injury problems, with Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira and Jurrien Timber all currently unavailable leaving the Gunners stretched.

And Arteta and his staff are acutely aware of the importance of ensuring his players are kept fresh - particular for the use Christmas schedule.

Mail Sport also understands that certain players are using private sessions away from the club’s London Colney HQ to ensure their bodies are at optimum capacity.

Last season, injuries at crucial parts of the season contributed to Arsenal eventually being overtaken by Manchester City; William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Olekandr Zinchenko all missing important matches last season.

And the Gunners are ensuring they implement a training strategy that protects players ahead of the business end of the season.

‘It's still a huge marathon ahead of us,’ said Arteta during his press conference ahead of the game at Kenilworth Road.

‘The encouragement comes from watching the team play, watching them behave every day and how hungry and willing they are to approach every training session. That's what gives me encouragement.’