Viktor Gyokeres could make his first appearance at Emirates Stadium when Arsenal host Villarreal on Wednesday, as Noni Madueke prepares for a possible debut.
Gyokeres made his debut for the Gunners last week, coming off the bench for the closing stages of Thursday’s defeat to Tottenham.
Mikel Arteta has stressed how Arsenal will carefully build up the striker’s minutes, as he did not take part in pre-season training with Sporting before moving to the Gunners.
“It was a short one but at least that one is off now and when they play against Villarreal now, I’m sure it will be a bit different,” said Arteta after the loss to Spurs.
Madueke is in line to make his debut after he started training with his new Arsenal team-mates this week.
The winger has been on holiday after appearing for Chelsea at the Club World Cup earlier this summer and he missed Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia.
Madueke is understood to have returned to training last week, ahead of schedule, so he could be fit and firing for the new season.
Arsenal are assessing a number of players ahead of the game with Villarreal.
Gabriel and Jurrien Timber are still finishing their rehabilitation after undergoing surgery earlier this year, while Riccardo Calafiori tweaked his knee during Arsenal’s tour of Asia and missed the game against Tottenham.
Leandro Trossard limped off during that loss to Spurs with what looked like a muscle issue. Arteta said: “He felt a little tweak, I think he tried to turn and he was pushed and he felt something muscular so we’ll have to assess him.”
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Doubts: Calafiori, Gabriel, Timber and Trossard
Injured: Jesus (knee)
Time and date: 6pm BST on Wednesday, August 4, 2025.
Venue: Emirates Stadium
How to watch: Arsenal website and app
