GUNNERS ON RED ALERT OVER PLAYER

MIKEL ARTETA is carefully managing his squad’s training workload to ensure their charge for the title stays on track.

The Gunners are top of the league, two points clear of second-placed Liverpool after 14 games, despite suffering a clutch of injuries to key players.

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 a hectic run of matches.

Arteta says he will make a late decision on

Tomiyasu’s availability for tonight’s match at Luton after the Japan international limped off with a suspected calf issue against Wolves on Saturday. Tomiyasu has undergone a scan. White, meanwhile, has been suffering with a ‘muscular’ problem but Arteta said yesterday he is now feeling ‘perfect’.

Arsenal have a long list of injury problems, with Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira and Jurrien Timber all unavailable. And Arteta and his staff are aware of the importance of ensuring his players are kept fresh — particularly for the 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 being overtaken by Manchester City down the stretch. William Saliba, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko all missed important