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Crisis-hit Arsenal see FIVE first-choice stars miss training on eve of their Champions League decider against Sporting – and with days to go until they travel to Man City in must-not-lose game

Arsenal’s preparations for a pivotal week of their season has been jeopardised by the sight of five integral players not training on Tuesday.

The Gunners take on Sporting in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday night before following that up with a Premier League top-of-the-table clash at title rivals Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Arsenal’s focus for now is on the Sporting clash but there was cause for concern during Tuesday’s opening training session with Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Odegaard Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber all not present.

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Mikel Arteta’s preparations for a big week for Arsenal took a blow with five players not training