Arsenal are handed a major injury boost as star returns in warm weather training in Dubai after a long layoff 

Arsenal continued their warm weather training in Dubai on Saturday, with one star involved after a long-term injury. 

The Gunners are not involved in the FA Cup this weekend having been knocked out in the third round by Manchester United last month. 

Mikel Arteta has made the most of the rare free schedule by taking his men for a  training camp in Dubai to nourish and prepare them for the business end of the campaign. 

Last season the foreign jaunt had a transformative effect as the Gunners went on to win 16 of their next 18 games after just one win in seven beforehand. 

Arteta knows he needs a similar rejuvenation to catch Liverpool, who are six points and a game in hand ahead of them, with a blockbuster clash lined up on May 10.

The Gunners departed for Dubai on Thursday and held their training session the next day. 

The hard work continued on Saturday, with the club using the same facilities as they did last year, the NAS Sports Complex.

Ben White was involved in the training session having been sidleined by knee injury since November 10. 

Earlier this week Arteta revealed the defender could be available for their triup to Leicester next weekend. 

‘Ben is still out. Hopefully, after the break, he will be available,’ the Arsenal boss said. 

This camp gives them an opportunity to recuperate following a bruising 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle, which cut off one avenue to a trophy. 

The north Londoners were vanquished 4-0 on aggregate by the Magpies but still have hope in the Premier League and Champions League.

Asked last month what impact a winter camp could have on his injury-hit squad, Arteta said: ‘If we earn the right to do that, it will be great.

‘It has been a super-busy schedule, with a lot of demands, especially on the players, and with a lot of things going on.’