Arteta provides update on four injured Arsenal players – and says Trossard will be assessed after defeat to Spurs | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta says that defenders Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori, and Jurrien Timber should be fit for Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Gabriel and Timber have not featured in any of the Gunners’ three matches during the pre-season tour of Asia.

Gabriel suffered a knock while working his way back from the hamstring injury he picked up in April, while Timber is still working his way back from ankle surgery.

Calafiori was forced off after 49 minutes in the win over Newcastle with a muscle injury, but Arteta is confident that all three defenders will be fit in time for the start of the new season.

“I don’t think so,” he said when asked if there are doubts around their availability. “If they are involved like they have been involved in the last few days – the three of them will be available.”

Kepa Arrizabalaga was also left out of the matchday squad because of an injury, but Arteta confirmed it’s only a “matter of days” for his recovery, and left him out as a precaution.

Arsenal ended their pre-season tour with a defeat to north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, after David Raya was caught off his line by a stunning long-range strike from Pape Matar Sarr, hit from close to the halfway line.

Leandro Trossard came on as a second-half substitute but had to cut his cameo short due to a muscular injury.

“He felt a little tweak. He tried to turn and he was pushed. He felt something muscular, so we will have to assess him,” Arteta confirmed.

In positive news, Viktor Gyokeres and Cristhian Mosquera were handed their non-competitive debuts, coming on towards the end of the match and enjoying some valuable minutes.

“[I am] really happy to have them here,” Arteta said. “I think they are going to add a lot of value. You see straight away the energy and quality that they are going to bring. It was a short one, but at least that one is over now. When they play against Villarreal, I’m sure it will be a bit different.”

Arsenal will now return to London ahead of next week’s fixtures against Villarreal and Athletic Club at the Emirates.