Arsenal injury situation ahead of Villarreal clash as 3 ruled out and 3 doubts
A look at the Arsenal injury situation as they prepare to face Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are back in action on Wednesday evening as they look to move on from a frustrating defeat to North London rivals Tottenham in Hong Kong on Thursday. A stunning goal proved to be the decider, but Arsenal struggled to put away chances, and that will be something they look to address as they return home to North London.
Arsenal’s next opponents are Villarreal, a team they have had a few good duels with in the past, including a Champions League semi-final win and a Europa League semi-final defeat in the last decade or so.
Villarreal also have a Champions League campaign ahead of them this season after finishing fifth in La Liga last season, winding up on the same points total as Athletic Club in fourth. Marcelino has had a big impact with the Yellow Submarine, though they are yet to do much of their business just yet despite the signings of Rafa Marin, Santi Mouriño and last season’s loan star Tajon Buchanan.
Villarreal lost Thierno Barry this summer, with the striker joining Everton, but they doubled their money within a year, and a striker signing will be their next piece of business as they ramp up preparations for the new season.
Arsenal have done much of their business, but they could still add another creative attacker, with Eberechi Eze heavily linked.
Ahead of Wednesday night’s clash, we have rounded up all the latest injury news surrounding the Gunners.
Gabriel Jesus - Out
Jesus is unlikely to return until late Autumn from his ruptured ACL in January. The process of returning from such an injury is a long one.
Jurrien Timber - Doubt
Timber has been working his way back from an ankle injury. Arteta said this week when asked if the defender would be back for the new season: “They’ve been involved in [training] the last few days, so the three of them (Calafiori, Timber and Gabriel) will be available.” With Timber back in training, it will be interesting to see if he can return in some capacity next week
Gabriel Magalhaes - Doubt
The same update was issued of Gabriel, and Arteta will want to see the defender return in some form during one of the pre-season games.
Riccardo Calafiori - Doubt
The same goes for Calafiori, who has been back in training having had a tricky time with injuries of late.
Leandro Trossard - Out
Trossard picked up an injury last time out. Arteta said: “He felt a little tweak, I think he tried to turn, and he was pushed, and he felt something muscular, so we'll have to assess him.” Trossard is unlikely to be risked at this stage in the summer.
Kepa Arrizabalaga - Out
The same goes for Kepa, who is unlikely to be risked after picking up an injury. Arteta has said: “He felt something as well in the game against Newcastle. I think it's a matter of days, probably - if that was the Premier League, he could have played, but we decided not to take a risk.”
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