Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta delivered a pleasing triple injury update following his side's 3-2 friendly lossto Villarreal at the Emirates on Wednesday.
The Gunners surprisingly went down to the Spanish giants - who had failed to win any of their first six pre-season games this summer - in front of their own fans, who witnessed former flame Nicolas Pepe bag the opening goal.
Karl Eyong doubled the visitors' lead before Christian Norgaard's header cut the deficit in half, although Arsenal were then sliced open again in the second 45 as Arnaut Danjuma raced clear to score.
Once again, the hosts responded through a Martin Odegaard penalty following more clever play from 15-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman, but it was of little use as Arteta's side fell to their second straight pre-season loss following defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in South Korea.
Summer signing Viktor Gyokeres made his first start for the Gunners in North London thanks to the unexpected absence of Kai Havertz, but the Swede struggled to have much of an impact against a well-organised Villarreal backline.
Arsenal's Kai Havertz pictured on January 25, 2025
Arteta confirmed that Havertz was missing due to a fresh injury, but he is optimistic that the Germany international will be fit and firing in time for the Emirates Cup clash with Athletic Bilbao at the weekend.
"Yesterday in training he felt something and this morning he wasn't quite right, so we decided to rest him," Arteta said at his post-game press conference. "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."
Also absent from the five-goal thriller were Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard, both of whom suffered knocks during Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia against Newcastle United and Tottenham respectively.
However, the duo are on track to return for their side's final friendly of the summer, joining Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes back on the field after the defensive duo made their comebacks on Wednesday.
"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," the Spaniard added.
Arteta's Noni Madueke plan confirmed after Arsenal debut
Arsenal's Noni Madueke pictured on August 6, 2025
As well as Gyokeres making his first Arsenal start, Noni Madueke earned his first minutes for his new club against Villarreal, occupying the left-hand side for the final 15 minutes of the defeat.
Arteta also confirmed that he plans to utilise the former Chelsea winger on both flanks, adding: "Both sides. I think Noni, when you ask him, he's very comfortable playing right and left so if we want to have inverted footed players, we can do that.
"He's a real threat, I wouldn’t want to play against him and we want to find something else and playing with natural-footed players, he's going to give us that solution.
"Today you've already seen a couple of balls that he put in the box, the pace and the quality he can deliver. So, great option."
Arsenal will endeavour to win the Emirates Cup for the fourth year running in Saturday's clash with Athletic, which comes eight days before a blockbuster Premier League opener away to Manchester United at Old Trafford.
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