Arsenal’s New Recruits and Veterans Gear Up for Premier League Kickoff
Arsenal are cautiously optimistic about the fitness of their new defensive duo, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, ahead of the Premier League season opener against Wolves. Both players were sidelined for the Gunners’ emphatic 4-1 pre-season victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
While the absence of Calafiori and Timber was notable, the north London outfit showcased their attacking prowess with goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz.
Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has moved to allay fears over the duo’s availability, suggesting they could feature in the upcoming friendly. “With Jurrien, it was a minor foot issue, and given his extended absence, we opted for caution,” Arteta explained. “Calafiori, on the other hand, is adjusting to a new environment, training regimen, and we’re carefully integrating him into the squad. Hopefully, they’ll both be ready to contribute on Sunday.”
Timber’s issue is not considered serious, but Arsenal are understandably taking a conservative approach to manage his workload after a prolonged period out last season.
Meanwhile, the spotlight is on the fitness of key players Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, who represented England at Euro 2024. Arteta emphasized the need for both to be match-ready, dismissing concerns about burnout. “With the season starting in less than two weeks, they must be prepared,” Arteta stated. “We’ve provided them with adequate rest and support, and their enthusiasm is evident. Ultimately, they’ll dictate their readiness.”
Zinchenko opened the scoring against Leverkusen with a powerful long-range effort, setting the tone for a dominant Arsenal performance. Trossard quickly added a second, capitalizing on a slick team move. Jesus extended the lead before halftime with a clinical finish, and Havertz completed the rout. Bayer Leverkusen managed a consolation goal through Adam Hlozek.
