Steve Bould takes training in the absence of Arsene Wenger as Arsenal prepare to host Reading in EFL Cup

 

• Arsenal face Reading in the EFL Cup at the Emirates on Wednesday
• Steve Bould oversaw training as Arsene Wenger attended the club’s AGM
• The Gunners were held by a stubborn Middlesbrough outfit on Tuesday

Arsenal take on Reading in the fourth round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday night and the squad prepared for the clash with a final training session on Monday morning.

Assistant manager Steve Bould took charge as Arsene Wenger faced fans and shareholders at the club’s AGM.

Plenty of the squad’s fringe players were hard at work with the Gunners expected to ring the changes for the game at the Emirates.

Wenger is set to rest several star names, including Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, with the team facing a run of tough fixtures in November.

Highly rated youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles looks set to continue his starting role in the competition whilst Carl Jenkinson could also feature after returning from injury.

Aaron Ramsey took full part in the session and could appear for the first time since injuring his hamstring on the opening day of the season. Wenger has also hinted that striker Olivier Giroud could be in line for a return from a toe problem.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide will likely play the No 10 as Wenger looks to freshen up after Saturday’s flat display against Middlesbrough.

The Gunners, lacking intensity, created very little and were fortunate not to fall behind as Boro put on a stubborn display at the Emirates.

Nonetheless the Gunners remain joint top of the table with Manchester City and Liverpool and their manager is confident that this could be their year.

‘Today we are in a much more competitive position to fight for the championship than five or six years ago,’ he said at the AGM.

‘I believe we have a competitive team in a very competitive league.

‘After nine games we have 20 points, which means the championship will be decided between 82 to 86 points.

‘I believe the team has the commitment, togetherness, hunger, desire and unity and we have a good chance to compete for the Premier League.

‘That is the target and I am absolutely committed to fulfilling it and giving my best so that we are successful until the end of the season.’