Arsenal news: Two players absent after international return as new signing hatches exit plan

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Arsenal return to Premier League action when they travel to Fulham on Saturday evening. The Gunners are sitting at the summit of the table and will be able to open up a four-point lead if they get the job done at Craven Cottage.

Mikel Arteta's men secured top spot with a 2-0 win over West Ham United before the international break. Now, all focus is on Marco Silva's men as the north London outfit prepare for another important clash at the weekend.

Fans will be pleased to see a few returning faces to the pitch but club captain Martin Odegaard remains out with a knee issue and will do so for a period of time.

Here, Mirror Football has all the details on the latest news coming out of the Emirates Stadium this week.

Arsenal will be pleased to see a host of returning faces after the international break, including new signing Piero Hincapie. The defender picked up a groin issue during his debut against Athletic Club in the Champions League , prompting Arteta to reveal that he had surgery on the area during the summer.

However, the 23-year-old was spotted on the training pitch on Wednesday alongside defender Gabriel and star winger Gabriel Martinelli. Both Gunners stars were on international duty with Brazil in Asia but have returned in plenty of time to face Fulham on Saturday.

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Meanwhile, Ben White was absent from Wednesday's training session and midfielder Martin Zubimendi watched on from the sidelines next to sporting director Andrea Berta.

Cristhian Mosquera has left the door open for a future transfer away from Arsenal despite only joining from Valencia in the summer. The highly-rated defender signed a five-year deal with the Gunners with the option of an extra 12 months following a £13million deal.

However, the centre-back told Marca that reuniting with his former teammates at the La Liga club during the international break has opened his eyes to the ever-changing landscape that is football. Mosquera said: "I’m very happy to see my former teammates again in what has been my home.

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"There’s nothing like Valencia. It’s a club that gave me everything from day one, one that I’ve fallen in love with, one that I’ve become.

"Who knows? Life takes many twists and turns. Football takes you one place one day and another the next. But like Valencia, nothing; that’s for sure."

The 21-year-old has solidified his place in Arsenal's defence since joining, making eight appearances and keeping five clean sheets so far.

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