Arsenal played host to Villarreal on 6th August and there was one surprise absence from the squad. Kai Havertz surprisingly missed the encounter, but Mikel Arteta provided an update in his post-match press conference. Arsenal succumbed to a 3-2 defeat to Nicolas Pepe’s Villarreal in one of their final friendlies of pre-season. The Ivorian winger was even among the goal scorers for the visitors, opening the scoring opportunistically following some sloppy defending. Christian Nørgaard and Martin Ødegaard scored Arsenal’s two goals either side of the break and there were some encouraging performances dotted throughout the encounter.
A notable and rather surprising absence was Kai Havertz, but following the encounter, Mikel Arteta gave an update on the German international. “Yesterday in training he felt something and this morning he wasn’t quite right, so we decided to rest him,” the Spaniard told reporters. “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.”
More Key Players Missing
Aside from Kai Havertz, there were some other big names missing as well. Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard picked up injuries during the tour hence their recent absence. Nevertheless, Arteta hinted at a possible return for Saturday’s clash against Athletic Club. He added: “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.”
One Last Chance Before the Season Starts
The Gunners will take on Athletic Club in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the new campaign. Following consecutive friendly losses (the Gunners were defeated 1-0 by arch north London rivals Tottenham in Hong Kong), Arsenal have to head into the United game off the back of a win. An emphatic win will also go a long way in dispelling concerns from the past few games. Fans have already begun airing their frustrations at the lack of cohesion in their recent performances with the season just over a week away. That said, there are a lot of positives to take into the new campaign. As the new signings continue to familiarise themselves with the new surroundings and style of play, we can only get better collectively!
Let’s hope our Gunners can rise to the challenge, against Athletic Club, on Saturday..
Benjamin Kenneth
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Arteta says Havertz minor issue back in days. Timber returned
Gabriel returned
You say injury worries mount
For gods sake
Oh no, we are down to our last 23 players!!!!!
It will be very interesting to see where Arteta deploys the much maligned Havertz this season as his presence was badly missed against Villarreal .Unlike many Arsenal fans i believe he has a vital role to play in the coming season whether as direct back up for Goykeres or as an alternative to Odegaard in a number 10 role supported by Zubemendi and Rice as double pivots.Tactically we need to change the attacking emphasis which is very much right sided and predictable by using Odegaard or Havertz in a more central attacking midfield role and giving our wingers license to interchange.I am not optimistic that our Manager will change tactics but i hooe i am proved wrong.
Grandad it will be a wait and see. Haverz was poor in the role he was bought for but every chance Arteta got, hw kept trying him. He was ok as a makeshift striker but his finishing makes him not reliable in that role. I personally dont see where he fits in the team but I never did. He has always given 100% but I just doknoq where he fits in.
Just don’t know
Reggie,
I’m going to sue, my sides are hurting again. 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂👍
Have you got something going on with Sue?🤣🤣🤣
Reggie🙄
Not that kind of Sue.😂🤣👍
That’s what squads are for.
Havertz will have to start the season to give Gyokeres some time to adapt. So this is good news