Arteta cool on fitness of defenders
- Published
Mikel Arteta says Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber will all be fit for the start of the Premier League season.
Centre-back Gabriel played 45 minutes in Arsenal's win over Watford behind closed doors but has not played any minutes of the tour to Singapore and Hong Kong after picking up an injury in training.
Calafiori started the first two games of Arsenal's tour but limped off just two minutes into the second half against Newcastle and he missed the match against rivals Tottenham.
Timber, has been recovering after having ankle surgery in May, and only recently joined team training.
After the 1-0 loss to Spurs in the Kai Tak stadium, Arteta was asked if any of the three might miss the first Premier League match of the season at Manchester United on Sunday, 17 August.
"I don't think so," he replied. "If they evolve like they've been involved in the last few days, the three of them will be available."