Evening Standard
·28 July 2025
Arsenal XI vs Tottenham: Gyokeres debut, confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for friendly

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·28 July 2025
Gyokeres could feature at some point but he has not played any part in pre-season this summer
Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings
Sign up
I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.
Viktor Gyokeres could make his Arsenal debut when the Gunners take on Tottenham on Thursday.
Gyokeres completed his move to Arsenal last weekend, arriving from Sporting as part of a deal that could eventually be worth over £60million.
The striker has joined Arsenal on their pre-season tour of Asia and he is being assessed by medical staff.
Gyokeres has not taken part in any pre-season training this summer as he was on strike at Sporting before joining Arsenal.
“He’s done all the medicals, everything is looking good, but to get him up to speed with the right levels of fitness, I think is very important,” said Mikel Arteta.
“So we’re not going to stop him, we want him with us as quick as possible, but we’ll have to assess, and the medical team will do that.”
Arteta will hope to have Gabriel and Jurrien Timber fit too, after the pair missed Sunday’s win over Newcastle.
Both players have been progressing well after undergoing surgery earlier this year and Arteta was optimistic they could be involved against Spurs.
Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt for the game, however, after he was forced to come off against Newcastle.
The Italian appeared to injure his knee - but Arteta is hopeful that no serious damage has occurred.
“He said that he felt a little tweak, so I don’t know how big it is, but hopefully not,” Arteta said.
Arteta has been rotating players during Arsenal’s friendlies so far, but he may name a strong team for the game with Spurs.
Youngster Max Dowman will hope to get minutes again, however, after starring off the bench against Newcastle.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Time and date: Thursday July 31, 12.30pm BST
Venue: Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong
Injured: Jesus (knee)
Doubts: Calafiori, Gabriel, Timber
Live