Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has offered a cryptic update on his injured quartet ahead of Friday's Premier League opener with Crystal Palace.
The Gunners will once again be up first in the new Premier League season and are seeking to banish the memories of last season's 2-0 loss to Brentford in gameweek one.
However, Arsenal have not been without their injury problems in pre-season, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira all struggling with physical issues.
Tomiyasu consistently struggled to stay fit last term, while Tierney has now recovered from knee surgery but was sidelined by another knock in the summer exhibition period.
Meanwhile, Vieira is yet to appear on the pitch for Arsenal due to foot and ankle injuries, and Smith Rowe has been battling a groin problem for the past couple of weeks.
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Addressing the media at his pre-match press conference, Arteta revealed that three players would be back in training ahead of the contest, but refused to name which member would miss out.
"Three out of four are going to be training this afternoon and if everything goes well hopefully they are going to be in the squad," Arteta responded.
When asked for a specific name on the player who would not be involved, the Spaniard added: "Good question, you will find out tomorrow."
Tierney, Tomiyasu and Vieira are expected to be the three involved in training on Thursday, with reports emerging of Smith Rowe preparing to miss the opening day with his groin problem.
Arteta's side have been extremely active in the summer transfer window, bringing in Oleksandr Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos and Matt Turner alongside Vieira.
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The Gunners are still being tipped to sign a new midfielder before the market closes for business, and Arteta has insisted that "everything is open" regarding incomings and outgoings.
"Everything is still open, it's a long window, a lot has happened, it's incredible how much business the clubs have done across the Premier League and it shows how competitive it is, and this season is not going to stop that." Arteta added.
"We are really active, as you can see with incomings and outgoings. Players are going to have the need to leave, some others to move and everything is open still."
Arsenal have already allowed Matteo Guendouzi, Alexandre Lacazette, Dinos Mavropanos and Dan Ballard to leave the club this summer, as well as sanctioning numerous loan exits.
On Wednesday, Arsenal confirmed that Folarin Balogun had signed a one-year loan deal with Ligue 1 club Reims before Charlie Patino joined Blackpool on a temporary basis.
Ben Knapton
