Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has reportedly revealed the reason Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori missed the Gunners’ Emirates cup victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
The defensive pair were notably absent from Arteta’s team as they ran out 4-1 winners. The Gunners did not lack for anything as they dominated the first half. Scoring three goals against Xabi Alonso’s team’s helpless attempt to break free from Arteta’s men’ constant pressure.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz were all on target. According to Football London, although there were many positives, Arteta’s decision regarding Timber will be concerning, although Calafiori’s absence is far less concerning.
In a press conference, he said: “With Jurrien he had a little discomfort in his foot the last few days. After the amount of time he has been out, we did not want to take any risks with him.
“With regards to Riccardo, so much has happened to him in one week. He has come into a new environment, a completely different methodology, different training and we are managing him. We want to do it slowly, to get him in the best possible way. Hopefully on Sunday he will be available to play some minutes.”
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After spending £42 million to join Arsenal from Bologna, Calafiori has yet to play for the team. But he will get another opportunity to play before the 2024–2025 campaign starts.
Arsenal host Lyon on Sunday at Emirates Stadium before facing Wolves on the opening weekend of the Premier League.
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