4 Arsenal players return to training pre-Villarreal friendly | OneFootball

Three injured players and Fabio Vieira all returned to training with Arsenal on Tuesday ahead of the midweek friendly match against Villarreal.

Photo via Arsenal.com

In a boost for Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager’s first training session back in England post-tour included a few players who were recently missing through injury.

The big news was Gabriel Magalhaes’ return. The centre-back hasn’t played a pre-season match since the Watford game behind closed doors, after a minor setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury. But he’s evidently on the verge of a comeback now.

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s injury was never believed to be serious, and he also returned to training. The goalkeeper was joined by Karl Hein, who missed the Asia tour with a thumb injury.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Fabio Vieira also took part in his first training session since returning from loan. The midfielder had been absent for the pre-season tour of Asia due to his extended post-Club World Cup holiday.

Summer signing Noni Madueke has been in individual training for the last few days, but Tuesday was his first opportunity to link up with his new Arsenal teammates.

Jurrien Timber also remains in training as he awaits his first involvement since his ankle surgery. He’s taken part in a few sessions now, and he must be getting close to featuring in a friendly match.

Photo via Arsenal.com

The bad news from Tuesday’s session was the absence of Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori. Arteta previously stated that he expects Calafiori back in time for the start of the Premier League season, so hopefully he’ll return to training in the next few days.

As for Trossard, there’s no word on the severity of the injury he suffered in Arsenal’s last friendly, but it’s clearly enough to keep him out of training right now.