'No sign': Two key Arsenal players missing from today's training ahead of Shakhtar game - journalist

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Arsenal welcome Shakhtar Donetsk to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday for a third UEFA Champions League clash of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Gunners remain unbeaten in Europe this season after a 0-0 draw against Atalanta and a 2-0 win over PSG, while Arsenal are also performing well in the Premier League, sitting third.

However, Mikel Arteta could be forced to take on the Ukrainian giants without two of his best players, after Alex Howell of BBC Sport shared what he noticed during Monday’s open training session at London Colney.

Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber not seen in Arsenal training

Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber were both absent from Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth, with the England international carrying a thigh injury, while the Dutchman is said to have a muscle problem.

Arteta will have hoped to welcome both back into the fold on Tuesday evening, but it seems the duo are likely to miss another game, as Howell could not see either of them training at London Colney.

The BBC Sport journalist wrote on X (previously known as Twitter): “There's no sign of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber in the open section of Arsenal training. Mikel Arteta has already confirmed that Martin Odegaard is out of the game with Shakhtar Donetsk tomorrow night.”

Despite his straight red card against Bournemouth, William Saliba is able to face Shakhtar Donetsk, as his suspension only applies in domestic action.

Mikel Arteta must find a backup option similar to Saka

Putting the talented Timber aside for a moment, Saka’s absence is much more concerning for Arsenal.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth saw Raheem Sterling start on the right in place of the Hale End graduate, and while the Chelsea loanee is a top player, he is vastly different in a stylistic sense, often preferring to go outside his man on his stronger right foot.

In stark contrast, Saka has made a name for himself when cutting inside on his left foot, an element which is crucial in supplying balance to Arteta’s attack.

Sterling is capable of filling in for Gabriel Martinelli on the left with his profile, although Arsenal are yet to find someone who can come anywhere close to matching what Saka offers, hence why the England international plays almost every game – a situation that has potentially caused the current thigh injury due to an overload of minutes.

There was an attempt to solve this issue during the summer as Arsenal tried to sign Michael Olise before his move to Bayern Munich, but the longer Edu Gaspar takes to find a viable backup, the more Saka will be at risk of burnout.