Defensive delight for Arteta as Arsenal receive triple

Arsenal have received a triple injury boost ahead of their friendly showdown with Villarreal on Wednesday, as Kepa Arrizabalaga, Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes were all fit to train on the eve of the match.

The Gunners host their 2005-06 Champions League semi-final foes seeking a return to triumphant ways on the back of their demoralising 1-0 North London derby loss to rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong.

Head coach Mikel Arteta had to work around a depleted defence for that showdown, as Timber and Gabriel are yet to return to action since picking up respective ankle and hamstring injuries during the spring.

Gabriel has made a full recovery from his hamstring concern, but the former Lille man then picked up a fresh niggle which rendered him unavailable for a little while longer.

Meanwhile, Kepa was unavailable for the clash with Spurs after sustaining a knock against Newcastle United last month, while Riccardo Calafiori also picked up a new issue in Asia.

Arsenal’s Gabriel, Timber, Kepa train before Villarreal clash

Prepping for Villarreal ?

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 5, 2025

However, all of Gabriel, Timber and Kepa were seen in Arsenal’s latest batch of training images from Tuesday’s session, suggesting that the trio will be fit to play a part against Villarreal in midweek.

Calafiori was not visible in the pictures, though, suggesting that the Italian could be at risk of missing both the clash with the Yellow Submarine and the Emirates Cup fixture with Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.

Furthermore, Leandro Trossard is on the sidelines after appearing to tweak a groin muscle in the North London derby, and it remains to be seen if him and Calafiori recover in time to face Manchester United on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus is still on the road to recovery from the devastating cruciate ligament injury he suffered in January, although Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz are ready to start against Villarreal.

Will Noni Madueke make his Arsenal debut against Villarreal?

Out of Arsenal’s six new signings, only Noni Madueke has not yet made his unofficial debut, as the winger was left out of Arteta’s pre-season tour squad following his triumphant Club World Cup exploits with Chelsea.

Madueke was already raring to go the second he put pen to paper on his long-term Arsenal contract, though, and he appeared in high spirits as he took part in full training with the group on Tuesday.

As a result, the former Tottenham Hotspur youngster will almost certainly be considered for his first Arsenal appearance on Wednesday, especially as Trossard’s chances of playing are slim to none.

Madueke may be restricted to minutes off the bench, though, as Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka should flank the central striker, likely to be Gyokeres after Kai Havertz’s exertions in the Far East.

Meanwhile, all of Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard should also make their first Arsenal appearances in front of the Emirates crowd in midweek.

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