Arsenal injury updates: Calafiori, Havertz & Trossard | OneFootball

Three senior players missed Arsenal’s pre-season defeat to Villarreal due to injury, but Mikel Arteta is hopeful all could return in time for the weekend’s final friendly.

Photo via Arsenal on Twitter

Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, and Riccardo Calafiori were all absent as Arsenal lost 3-2 against Villarreal in their first home pre-season fixture, though none of the injuries are thought to be serious.

Havertz was withdrawn on the morning of the match after reporting muscle discomfort in the final training session. “Yesterday in training he felt something and this morning he wasn’t quite right, so we decided to rest him,” Mikel Arteta said post-match. “I think it’s going to be a matter of a couple of days, hopefully the weekend, if everything goes to plan, I think he will be fit.”

Trossard, who sustained a groin injury during the club’s 0-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong, is progressing well and is also targeting a return for the next pre-season match against Athletic Club.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Calafiori, meanwhile, is recovering from a minor knee strain picked up against Newcastle in Singapore.

“The three that we lost during the tour, it was Big Gabi, Leo and Richy, and for Saturday I think both of them have a chance, if everything in the next few days evolves in the way that it’s been evolving in the last few days,” Arteta said, referring to Trossard and Calafiori.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Despite the defeat, Arsenal’s evening was not without positives. Christian Norgaard marked his Emirates debut with a headed goal from a Gabriel Martinelli corner, and 15-year-old Max Dowman made another lively cameo, winning the penalty converted by Martin Ødegaard.

The game also saw first home appearances for several of Arsenal’s summer signings, including Viktor Gyökeres, who had a quiet evening, and Noni Madueke, who received a warm welcome form the home fans after some morons online criticised his arrival.