Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhães and Jurrien Timber are set to return to full fitness ahead of the Gunners’ Premier League opener against Manchester United, boosting Mikel Arteta’s defensive options.
What Happened?
Arsenal’s preparations for the 2025/26 season have been given a massive boost with the return of key defenders Gabriel Magalhães and Jurrien Timber to full training. Both players were seen participating in training sessions ahead of the Gunners’ upcoming friendly clash against Villarreal, and they are now set to be available for the Premier League opener against Manchester United on August 17.
Neither Gabriel nor Timber featured in Arsenal’s pre-season tour of Asia due to injury concerns. Gabriel, who underwent hamstring surgery in April, only managed 45 minutes of action in a closed-door match against Watford before picking up a minor issue that kept him sidelined. Meanwhile, Timber, who had surgery on his ankle in May, was carefully managed and not risked during the tour, gradually building up fitness under the guidance of Arsenal’s medical team.
The Bigger Picture
Now that both defenders are back in full training, there is cautious optimism within the club that they will feature in the friendly against Villarreal. Mikel Arteta previously expressed confidence that both players could be ready for the match against Manchester United, and seeing them train again at London Colney is a major relief for the manager ahead of the new season.
Encouraging News for Arsenal Fans
In addition to Gabriel and Timber’s returns, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has resumed training after missing the Tottenham defeat with a minor knock. He is expected to be in contention for the Villarreal match. Meanwhile, summer signing Noni Madueke has also joined in training, following a brief break to adjust to his new surroundings at Arsenal after his move from Chelsea.
Arsenal’s highly-rated 15-year-old talents, Marli Salmon and Max Dowman, have also impressed during the summer camp and were involved in first-team training. They could potentially make an appearance against Villarreal, showing that Arteta is keen to assess the progress of the club’s young stars.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
The upcoming friendly against Villarreal will be a crucial opportunity for Arteta to evaluate the fitness of Gabriel, Timber, and other returning players. Following that, Arsenal will face Athletic Club in the Emirates Cup on August 9 before their Premier League opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford on August 17.
