Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori are hoping to be fit for Arsenal’s Emirates Cup showdown against Athletic Club on Saturday.
The Gunners are hosting the Spanish club at Emirates Stadium in what is their final pre-season friendly.
Calafiori, Havertz and Trossard all missed the 3-2 defeat to Villarreal on Wednesday, but Mikel Arteta has hinted they could feature at the weekend.
“Yesterday in training he (Havertz) felt something and this morning he wasn’t quite right,” said Arteta, after the loss to Villarreal.
“So we decided to rest him. I think it’s going to be a matter of a couple of days, hopefully at the weekend, if everything goes to plan, I think he will be fit.
“The three that we lost during the tour, it was Big Gabi, Leo and Ricky, and for Saturday I think both of them (Calafiori and Trossard) have a chance if everything in the next few days evolves in the way it has been evolving in the last few days.”
Gabriel and Jurrien Timber are pushing to start against Bilbao after making their first appearances of pre-season off the bench on Wednesday.
Midfielders Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Martin Zubimendi all came off the bench in that game, too, but they may start together as a trio for the first time this weekend.
In attack, Viktor Gyokeres will be eager to start and get more minutes under his belt ahead of next week’s trip to Old Trafford.
Noni Madueke made his first appearance for Arsenal on Wednesday and should get more minutes this weekend.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Doubts: Calafiori, Havertz and Trossard
Injured: Jesus (knee)
Time and date: 5pm BST on Saturday, August 9, 2025
How to watch: Arsenal website
Venue: Emirates Stadium
