MIKEL ARTETA laid Arsenal’s injury crisis bare.
That’s by admitting he was forced to join in training sessions this week.
The Gunners take on Everton today looking to keep pace with early leaders Man City.
Arsenal are still buzzing from their 3-1 win over Manchester United at the start of the month.
But they have a number of key players missing for the clash with the Toffees.
Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber and Mo Elneny are all absent with long-term problems.
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And with a large number of players selected by their national teams during the break, Arteta was forced to play with his remaining aces at London Colney.
But despite getting stuck in with a “few slide tackles”, Arteta is hopeful he “didn’t injure anyone”.
He said: “It was forced. It was nothing that I wanted to do.
“But we had one or two players and some academy players that could not join.
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“It was good, it was a good workout. I lost some weight and didn’t get injured.
“I did a few (slide tackles) but I didn’t get anybody injured!”
Arteta knows all about intense training sessions, having been a top player himself.
The Spaniard spent 12 years in the Premier League playing for Everton and Arsenal.
He scored 35 goals in 209 games for the Toffees.
And Arteta followed that up with 16 strikes in 150 appearances for Arsenal.
He will now be hoping to lead the Gunners to victory over his former side today.
And a win will see Arsenal move joint-second with Liverpool and Tottenham.
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