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Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Kai Havertz after the Arsenal star missed the pre-season friendly defeat to Villarreal on Wednesday.

The German international was not named in the matchday squad for the friendly at Emirates Stadium. Viktor Gyokeres started up front for the Gunners but could not inspire his side to a win, with the La Liga side coming out 3-2 winners.

Nicolas Pepe and Karl Etta Eyong put Villarreal ahead in the first half, although Christian Norgaard scored his first Arsenal goal just before the break to halve the deficit. Arnaut Danjuma calmly slotted past Kepa Arrizabalaga in the second period before Martin Odegaard scored from the penalty spot, but ultimately it wasn't enough.

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Havertz had started all three of Arsenal'sprevious pre-season friendlies prior to the Villarreal game, with the 26-year-old playing as the central striker. He had been pictured in training in the days leading up to Wednesday's fixture but Arteta revealed post-match that he had felt something during Tuesday's session.

Arteta 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."

Arteta also provided an update on Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori, who picked up injuries on the pre-season tour of Asia. Gabriel made his comeback against Villarreal in the second half but Trossard and Calafiori were not named in the matchday squad. They could return for Saturday's final friendly against Athletic Club, however.

The Spaniard said: "Yes, the three that we lost during the tour, it was big Gabi, Leo and Ricky, and 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."

After Athletic Club, all eyes will be on Sunday, August 17 when Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the opening weekend of the 2025/26 Premier League season.