Arteta Provides Positive Injury Update on Key Arsenal Defenders | OneFootball

Following Arsenal’s final pre-season match of the Asia tour, Mikel Arteta has delivered encouraging news on three defenders who missed the latest game. The Gunners faced Tottenham Hotspur in the first ever overseas North London derby on Thursday, battling in front of nearly 50,000 fans at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.

The clash marked Arsenal’s third and final fixture of the tour, following wins over AC Milan and Newcastle. However, they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to their fierce north London rivals. Despite a disappointing display, there were some positives, including a first glimpse of Viktor Gyökeres in an Arsenal shirt. The announcement that Gyokeres would wear the number 14 shirt at Arsenal led to a record-breaking surge in jersey sales.

Notably, Arsenal were without several key players, and Arteta has now provided an update on the fitness of Gabriel Magalhães, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori.

Encouraging signs for injured defenders

Gabriel and Timber have yet to feature in pre-season, having missed the end of the previous campaign through injury. Meanwhile, Calafiori picked up a knock during the win over Newcastle, ruling him out of the Tottenham fixture.

Speaking via Arsenal media after the match, Arteta was asked about their availability for the upcoming season. As quoted by the club’s official channels, he gave a reassuring response:

“They’ve been involved in the last few days so Gabriel, Calafiori, Timber, the three of them will be available.”

Gabriel Magalhaes (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Final friendlies could prove vital

With the new Premier League campaign just two weeks away, concerns over the trio’s fitness were understandable. However, the manager’s comments will calm any fears and offer a timely boost. Before Arsenal take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on the opening day, they will face Villarreal and Athletic Club in two final friendlies, providing Timber and Gabriel with a chance to gain crucial match fitness ahead of the season.

What do you think, Gooners? Encouraged by the update?

Benjamin Kenneth

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