Mikel Arteta provides injury update as Arsenal’s US tour concludes

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta provided an injury update on three players after the Gunners rounded off their US tour with a 4-0 victory over Chelsea in the Florida Cup. 

The Gunners were rampant on Saturday night against their London rivals, with the low-pressure environment allowing Arteta’s exciting outfit to play with the utmost freedom. Arsenal’s triumph over Thomas Tuchel’s hapless Blues means they ended their US tour with three wins from three following victories over Everton and Orlando City.

Arteta’s side look ready for the new season, with their efficient work in the transfer market a signal of their intent. However, they might be without one or two players to start the 2022/23 campaign which is now less than two weeks away.

Mikel Arteta provides injury update as Arsenal wrap up US tour in style

It’s been an incredibly productive week for the Gunners with their victories on the field being complemented by the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City. The Ukrainian started Saturday’s bout despite only officially joining on Friday evening and played the opening 45 minutes.

Arteta left his strongest starting XI out on the field for as long as he deemed necessary against Chelsea as he stepped up his side’s preparations for the start of the Premier League season. However, the Spaniard admitted post-match that Gabriel Jesus was forced off early in the second half with a minor issue.

“He [Jesus] got a knock in the first half in his quad and it wasn’t very comfortable to continue and obviously we didn’t take any risks,” the Arsenal boss revealed (via Charles Watts).

The Brazilian’s status, however, isn’t expected to be in doubt for next Saturday’s Emirates Cup clash against Sevilla, let alone the opening game of the Premier League season away at Crystal Palace.

Although, both Takehiro Tomiyasu and summer arrival Fabio Vieira may struggle to be ready for the trip to Selhurst Park.

Speaking on their respective statuses, Arteta said: “Tomi is really close to start doing some training sessions. Hopefully, next week and Fabio probably a little bit longer. I think he needs another week or so before he starts with the team.”

Tomiyasu hasn’t featured in pre-season after enduring an injury-riddled debut campaign in north London. Vieira, meanwhile, was pictured wearing a protective boot just days after the signing for the club. The player himself, however, revealed that the measure was merely precautionary.

In other injury news, Kieran Tierney remains sidelined and it doesn’t appear that he’ll be ready for the season opener, while Emile Smith Rowe returned to training ahead of the Chelsea clash but didn’t feature.