Jesus hint, Smith Rowe message - What we spotted in Arsenal training

Arsenal training: Mikel Arteta will have been working closely with his players on the training pitches this week as they attempt to get back to winning ways against Manchester United

Arsenal face their toughest test of the 2023/24 Premier League season so far when they welcome Manchester United to Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta's side remain unbeaten from their opening three games but unexpectedly dropped points against 10-man Fulham this past weekend.

Focus this week will have mostly been on preparing for the clash against Erik ten Hag's side, but Arteta and Edu will have also been keeping close tabs on any late opportunities in the transfer window with the deadline of September 1 fast approaching.

Alongside multiple transfer decisions, Arteta is also facing several team selection dilemmas especially now Gabriel Jesus is back from injury. Takehiro Tomiyasu will also return after serving a one-match suspension following his red card against Crystal Palace, but he will be competing for his spot back in the team against Jakub Kiwior, who initially came in for him, and the fit-again Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Undoubtedly, a number of Arsenal players will have felt they had a lot to prove in the week at London Colney, with Gabriel Magalhaes and David Raya as two stars trying to break into the starting XI. So, with that said, football.london has taken a look at the latest set of Arsenal training pictures ahead of the Man United fixture.

Jesus hint

After undergoing a minor knee operation at the start of August, Gabriel Jesus could be set for a starting return this weekend against Manchester United.

Mikel Arteta brought the Brazilian on with five minutes to spare against Fulham, however an immediate return to the starting XI looks unlikely, going off a hint dropped in training.

In the images posted on Arsenal's website, Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Aaron Ramsdale were all spotted wearing bibs, with the latter in blue and the attacking duo in orange. In training, games often take place where the chosen starting XI plays a secondary team and if that is the case here, with Ramsdale still as the No.1 choice, it could hint that Jesus and Trossard will be on the bench for the clash.

Smith Rowe message

While talk of a new signing has been quiet, possible exit chatter has been loud particularly around Emile Smith Rowe amid interest from Chelsea.

However, the Blues now look as though they are focusing on Cole Palmer, leaving Smith Rowe to fight for his place under Arteta. In the training images, Smith Rowe was looking very focused on the task at hand while Arteta delivered a speech to the squad.

Vieira warning

Despite the fact Arsenal dropped points at the weekend, the 34-minute cameo of Fabio Vieira was very promising. The Portugal international won the penalty which brought Arsenal level before delivering a pinpoint cross that Eddie Nketiah turned home to complete what looked to be a great comeback.

Ultimately, Fulham left Emirates Stadium with a share of the spoils, however Vieira had delivered a clear message to Arteta. Now, in training, Vieira has been captured with a confident expression on his face perhaps indicating a good moment had taken place on the training pitches.

However, like Jesus and Trossard were, he is also wearing an orange bib which may mean his strong cameo off the bench wasn't quite enough for a starting spot against Man United.

Academy trio involved

Mikel Arteta frequently welcomes members of the academy into Arsenal training with another trio pictured taking part in the drills.

This time round those players were Bradley Ibrahim, Ryan Alebiosu and Nathan Butler-Oyedeji. The decision to involve Butler-Oyedeji could be an indication at his future with a loan move away to Portsmouth or Cambridge on the cards.