Arsenal defenders Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori have been overlooked of the Gunners’ pre-season win over Bayer Leverkusen as precautions, supervisor Mikel Arteta has mentioned.
Netherlands worldwide Timber spent virtually everything of the 2023-24 marketing campaign out with a knee harm, whereas Calafiori joined on July 29 from Bologna for a price which might rise to £42 million.
“Jurrien had just a little discomfort in his foot in the previous couple of days,” Arteta mentioned after the 4-1 win over the reigning German champions at Emirates Stadium. “After the period of time he’s been out, we didn’t need to take any danger with him.
“With reference to Riccardo, a lot occurred to him in a single week. He’s come into a brand new surroundings with a special methodology and completely different coaching so we’re managing him and we need to do it slowly and in one of the best ways doable.”
A cultured pre-season efficiency 💫 pic.twitter.com/UCHtB47jq1
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 7, 2024
Calafiori Arsenal debut
Arteta mentioned he hopes Calafiori “might be accessible to play some minutes” when Arsenal host Lyon on Sunday (2pm BST) of their remaining recreation earlier than their Premier League marketing campaign begins at dwelling to Wolves on August 17 (3pm).
Gabriel Jesus’s efficiency in opposition to Leverkusen, which included a strike from distance to make the scoreline 3-0 after 38 minutes, impressed Arteta.
“The primary feeling once I noticed him after speaking to him on the finish of the season is that he was one thing completely different,” Arteta mentioned of the ahead who has not scored in a aggressive recreation since January.
“I might sense it. His vitality was completely different, the way in which he appears to be like is completely different, the way in which he’s transferring is completely different. He actually needs it. Now it’s about discovering that consistency and doing it in any context, in opposition to any opponent, any formation, any day, each three days, for 90 minutes, for half-hour, for 70 minutes. Should you produce in these circumstances? It appears to be like good.”
Residence once more. ❤️ @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/NyCApRUHH9
— Leandro Trossard (@LTrossard) August 7, 2024
Arsenal targets vs Leverkusen
Oleksandr Zinchenko put Arsenal forward after eight minutes in opposition to Leverkusen, whose deficit doubled a minute later courtesy of Leandro Trossard.
After Jesus scored the choose of the targets, Kai Havertz netted for the second time in two friendlies to place the title hopefuls 4-0 forward after 65 minutes.
Arteta wouldn’t be drawn on whether or not back-up striker Eddie Nketiah, who hardly ever featured through the second half of final season and was an unused substitute in 9 of Arsenal’s remaining 12 matches, is on the verge of leaving the membership.
“We can not discuss issues like that,” mentioned Arteta. “He performed some minutes at the moment, he’s a participant that has given a lot. We actually like him and in the meanwhile there may be nothing to debate.”
