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FORGET Newcastle. Forget Wembley – Mikel Arteta hopes a trip to Dubai will yet again do the trick for Arsenal.

Still licking their wounds from a St James’ Park mauling in the Carabao Cup semi-finals the night before, the Gunners boarded a plane on Thursday morning for more mid-season winter sun.

Arsenal players Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka at a training session. — Arsenal are heading back to Dubai on their latest mid-season training campCredit: Getty

Arsenal soccer players on stationary bikes during training. — The Gunners have used the trip to get their season back on track in the pastCredit: Getty

Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during a training session. — They will train at the Nad Al Sheba Training CentreCredit: Getty

Two Arsenal players in tracksuits walking toward a vehicle. — The team headed out following the Carabao Cup exit to NewcastleCredit: www.arsenal.com

Two Arsenal players walking and carrying bags. — The players appeared in good spirits despite the disappointing defeatCredit: www.arsenal.com

Arsenal players departing for a training camp. — Bukayo Saka has joined the travelling party as he eyes a returnCredit: www.arsenal.com

It has become a tradition of recent years for Arteta to take his squad to the Middle East – helped by early exits in the FA Cup – to recharge the batteries after a gruelling festive period and prepare for the final push.

Last season – following a run of one win in seven in all competitions from December 9, 2023 to January 7, 2024 – Arsenal jetted off to Dubai for some much-needed soul-searching and vitamin D.

They ended that campaign with 16 wins from their final 18 Premier League games, pipped to the title on the final day by Manchester City.

This term fits the narrative too, Arsenal beginning 2025 with one win in five in all competitions and have been knocked out of two cups before February has really got going.

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It is a regular spot for Prem players during the off-season as well as for intense rehab sessions, including the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba and Tyrone Mings.

Arsenal’s sessions will involve high-intensity bursts and individual muscular conditioning programmes in average temperatures ranging from 22 to 27 degrees.

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Illustration of NAS Sports Complex in Dubai, showing its location, facilities, and soccer players.

It also gives a chance for injured players to step up their rehab – crocked duo Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Ben White (knee) will be on the trip with returns expected within the next month.

Arsenal usually stay in hotels near the famous Dubai Palm, with club officials previously raving over having everything at their doorstep away from training, including shopping malls and restaurants.

Arteta recently explained: “Of course we will have to modify [the trip]. There are a lot of things that will be very similar. Location, where we are staying, where we train.

“But we are going at a different moment of the season, different numbers, probably the team needs a different stimulus, so we are preparing a few things.

“Hopefully it will work like it has the last few times.”

Families and close friends will be allowed to mix with the group throughout the camp.

Last year, Arteta organised a BBQ for the group and staff as a bonding session.

Cristiano Ronaldo in a pool. — The NAS complex has been used by some of world's top athletesCredit: Instagram / nas_sc

Soccer player kicking a ball during practice. — Marcus Rashford headed there to keep sharp

Arsenal soccer players training. — Arsenal have gone to Dubai in each of the last few seasonsCredit: Instagram / nas_sc

Arsenal soccer players practicing heading a ball during training. — The trip will be very similar from previous yearsCredit: Instagram / nas_sc

Man using weight machine in gym. — Diogo Dalot made use of the extensive gymCredit: Instagram / nas_sc

Jadon Sancho boxing. — Jadon Sancho honed his boxing skills on his visitCredit: Instagram / nas_sc

Novak Djokovic training in a gym. — Novak Djokovic proved it is suitable for any sports starCredit: Instagram / nas_sc

A woman running alongside a man cycling on a track. — There is a running track around one of the Fifa-level pitchesCredit: Instagram / nas_sc

Arteta also likes to integrate academy players in the training squad.

Myles Lewis-Skelly, 18, used the 2024 trip well, and is now a regular first-team player.

This time around, highly-rated 15-year-old Max Dowman and 16-year-old keeper Jack Porter – who made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup third round against Bolton – have been included.

Most importantly, Arteta needs to keep his players fit, especially Kai Havertz – the German international is the club’s only fit centre forward at the club with Gabriel Jesus out for the rest of the season with an ACL rupture.

However, there are now concerns over Gabriel Martinelli.

The Brazilian winger has had an MRI scan on his right hamstring after hobbling off in the first half of their 2-0 Toon defeat.