Arsenal give reason Tierney and three other players missed Luton match

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was without several players for a friendly against Luton on Wednesday. The Gunners and the Hatters played out a goalless draw at London Colney.

Arteta gave minutes to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, their first action since returning from the World Cup. But there were notable absentees from the hosts’ squad.

Kieran Tierney played in the 2-0 defeat to Juventus on Saturday but did not feature against Luton. Oleksandr Zinchenko was also absent, having missed every friendly so far during the break for the World Cup.

Arsenal have confirmed that Tierney was rested for the game and has no injury. Zinchenko, meanwhile, is still recovering from a slight calf injury which has hampered him in recent months.

Reiss Nelson also did not play after injuring his hamstring against Juve. Like Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu was also rested.

The Japan star missed the visit of the Old Lady at the weekend with a tight hamstring. Arteta clearly does not want to risk him ahead of the resumption of competitive football for his side.

There were also other players who missed the game as they continue their rehabilitation from injury. Gabriel Jesus is set for a few months out after undergoing knee surgery.

Emile Smith Rowe is close to a return to full training after he underwent a groin operation in September. William Saliba is yet to feature since being part of the France squad that lost to Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final in Qatar.

Tierney and Tomiyasu being rested likely means they will both be competing for a starting spot at left-back against West Ham. Zinchenko’s struggles with injury since his summer arrival have led to a direct competition between the duo.

Tomiyasu has lost his spot at right-back to Ben White but has been used on the opposite side by Arteta in Zinchenko’s absence. Tierney has remained relatively injury-free this season but has started just three Premier League matches having fallen down the pecking order.

West Ham will arrive at the Emirates no higher than 16th in the table. But Arteta is not expecting an easy clash against his old boss.

He said: I know David [Moyes] very well because I worked with him for seven years. I’m sure that he has worked the team hard and has put big demands on them. They’ve been terrific since he joined the club and I always think it’s a really difficult match-up.”

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