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Havertz, Calafiori, Trossard - Arsenal injury latest ahead of new Premier League season

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The new Premier League season is almost upon us. The 2025/26 campaign will kick off in just over a week's time, with reigning champions Liverpool facing off against Bournemouth on Friday, August 15.

Arsenal will have to wait an extra couple of days for their first outing. On Sunday, August 17, the Gunners will travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.

The Gunners have had a mixed pre-season, beating AC Milan and Newcastle in Singapore before losing the first-ever North London Derby outside of the UK against Tottenham in Hong Kong.

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They returned home and lost 3-2 against Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night. Before the season gets underway, they have one more match against Athletic Club on Sunday.

Arteta knows he still has plenty to work on on the training ground ahead of the start of the season. Speaking after the defeat to Villarreal, the manager said: "I think they've been super-efficient, but we've been naïve, especially the way we have defended open spaces, and that's something that, especially with the way we play, we have to absolutely nail.

"Today we haven't been good at all in that department and that has cost us the game, for sure."

Arsenal do not have a clean bill of health going into the Premier League season, and another player was added to the missing list before the match with Villarreal.

Here, football.london takes a look at the latest injury news and expected return dates...

Kai Havertz

Missed the game against Villarreal unexpectedly, raising concerns over his fitness for the Manchester United season opener.

But Arteta allayed any fears in his post-match press conference. He said: "Yesterday in training, he felt something, and this morning he wasn't quite right, so we decided to rest him.

"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."

Expected return date: Man Utd - August 17

Riccardo Calafiori

Was not in the squad for the game against Villarreal, having missed the game with Tottenham Hotspur too.

The Italian played in the first pre-season tour game against AC Milan, but went off injured in the second game against Newcastle United with what Arteta described as a "tweak".

Should be fit for Manchester United if all goes to plan. Arteta said: "For Saturday ,I think both of them have a chance if everything in the next few days evolves in the way it has been evolving in the last few days."

Expected return date: Athletic Club - August 9

Leandro Trossard

Trossard went off injured in the 85th minute against Tottenham, having only come onto the pitch in the 68th minute as a replacement for Gabriel Martinelli.

Was not seen in training this week and was not part of the squad for the game against Villarreal either due to the muscle injury suffered.

Like Calafiori, he should return against Ahtletic Club all being well though, as he was the other name in the "both" quote Arteta gave post-match.

Expected return date: Athletic Club - August 9

Gabriel Magalhaes

The one everyone is most looking for updates on, given his importance to the team.

Magalhaes has been out of action since the beginning of April after picking up a hamstring injury. He was named in the tour squad for Asia, having been given 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly prior to travelling out there, but has not been risked as a precaution.

Remains to be seen if he plays against Athletic Club or if he is saved for the Premier League opener.

Expected return date: Man Utd - August 17

Gabriel Jesus

The long-term injured star on the list, the Brazilian frontman, has been seen on the grass at the training ground, but is not ready to return from an ACL injury just yet.

He is working his way back to full fitness, but given the rehabilitation period required for such an injury, he remains sidelined for some time yet.

Expected return date: November

Karl Hein

The third-choice keeper has a minor hand injury and was not part of the squad for the tour to Asia.

He may still leave the club in the summer transfer window, with first-team opportunities limited.

Expected return date: Unknown

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