Mikel Arteta explains why Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber missed Arsenal’s pre-season win over Bayer Leverkusen

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are ‘slowly’ easing Riccardo Calafiori into life at the club, which is why the defender was absent for the side’s pre-season victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

Arsenal put an end to weeks of speculation with official confirmation of Calafiori’s €50m (£42.1m) arrival from Serie A outfit Bologna last month.

The highly rated Italy international, who impressed at this summer’s European Championship, became Arsenal’s second addition of the transfer window after David Raya made his switch from Brentford permanent.

Calafiori’s versatility was a key factor in Arsenal’s pursuit, with the 22-year-old comfortable playing at both centre-back and left-back.

However, Arsenal supporters are still yet to see Calafiori in action in their colours, with the former Bologna man sitting out the club’s recent friendly with Liverpool, as well as this evening’s clash with Leverkusen.

Goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz sealed a comprehensive 4-1 win for the Gunners in the Emirates Cup fixture, as Granit Xhaka was welcomed back to north London for the first time since his departure.

Timber also missed the match and, at his post-match conference, Arteta revealed that the Netherlands defender had been struggling with a foot issue in the build-up.

‘With Jurrien, he had a little discomfort in his feet in the last few days,’ Arteta told reporters shortly after the final whistle.

‘Obviously, with the amount of time that he’s been out, we didn’t want to take any risks with him.’

The Arsenal head coach added: ‘In regards to Riccardo, so much has happened to him in one week. He’s come in to a new environment, completely different methodology, different training, and are managing him.

‘We want to do it slowly to get him in the best possible way so hopefully on Sunday he will be available to play some minutes.’

Given Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen ended last season with a remarkable undefeated record in the Bundesliga, Arteta felt there were plenty of positives to take away from the match.

‘We can take a lot of positives from the game. Apart from the result, the way we performed, there were a lot of very positive aspects, collectively and individually,’ Arteta continued.

‘We take a lot from it and a lot of things to learn as well. There’s a lot of things to improve, especially in the second half when we made certain changes.

‘But again, a really good test, a really good team, really well coached and it was a good performance.’

Towards the end of Arteta’s press conference, the Spaniard was quizzed on the future of Eddie Nketiah, who has been heavily linked with a move to Marseille in recent weeks.

The latest reports emanating out of France indicate that Arsenal are ready to lower their initial asking price for the striker which could open the door to a summer transfer.

‘It’s the same situation with all the players. Everybody wants to play and have opportunities,’ Arteta responded.

‘I have to give those opportunities, they have earn it, and there is no difference [with Nketiah].’

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