Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shared encouraging news on the recovery of defensive pair Gabriel Magalhães and Jurrien Timber ahead of the club’s next preseason fixture in Singapore, Softfootball reports.
The duo were absent from Wednesday’s 1–0 win over AC Milan and did not feature in the open training session held at the Singapore National Stadium on Friday, sparking questions about their fitness. But speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta offered calm reassurance that both players are nearing a return.
Arteta told Arsenal media during the press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash against Newcastle.
Arteta said:
“Gabi got a little niggle in training, and we didn’t want to take any risk.” “Hopefully in the next week or so he’s going to be able to train and play again.”
Gabriel, who formed one half of Arsenal’s formidable centre-back pairing last season alongside William Saliba, had featured consistently before missing the final run of matches due to a muscle issue. His absence is being treated with caution to avoid aggravating the injury further.
Meanwhile, the update on Timber will be particularly pleasing for Arsenal fans. The Dutch international has been sidelined since suffering a devastating ACL injury on the opening weekend of last season. After months of intensive rehab, Timber is now on the verge of returning to full training.
Arteta then confirmed that:
“With Jurrien, he’s getting very close.” “He’s almost hit every point that we needed after the surgery and the period of rehab that he needed. And I think in the next few days he’s going to start doing it again.”
The pair’s recovery comes at an ideal time as Arteta continues to prepare his squad for another demanding campaign across multiple competitions. Arsenal will face Newcastle United in their next friendly on Sunday, as the Gunners wrap up their Asia tour.
Although Arteta didn’t say much about Arsenal’s latest signing, Viktor Gyokeres, who officially joined the club on Friday.
Meanwhile, Softfootall reported how Gyokeres has requested for the iconic number 14 jersey that was worn by Thierry Henry.
According to football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Gyokeres has boldly demanded that Arsenal should allow him to wear the iconic 14 jersey, which was made famous by the legendary Thierry Henry.
Gyokeres is coming to Arsenal with a huge goal-scoring reputation, and if anyone could lay claim to that shirt, it is surely the Swede. He scored 39 goals in 33 league matches during his final season in Portugal and 54 in 52 games in all competitions.
Last season, Arsenal’s main strikers Kai Harvertz and Gabriel Jesus got injured in January and February, respectively, as they finished the season in second, 10 points behind league winners Liverpool, and scored 17 goals fewer.
