Arsenal have been boosted by the return to fitness of Leandro Trossard but Declan Rice was missing for tonight’s pre-season clash against Barcelona.
Trossard last week picked up a knock during Arsenal’s 5-0 win over an MLS All Stars, being withdrawn after 56 minutes and subsequently missing the loss to Manchester United.
“He got a knock and obviously we don’t want to take any risks at this stage,” said Gunners manager Mikel Arteta after the game.
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“He had some pain, but I don’t expect it to be anything big.”
Rice was missing from the squad, however, after making his debut against MLS All-Stars and then playing against United.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, meanwhile, has been sidelined since picking up a calf injury during last season’s run-in. The versatile defender returned to training on Monday, undergoing individual work as he slowly works his way back up to full fitness.
The Ukrainian hopes to be fit for the start of the Premier League season in just over two weeks’ time, so will not be risked against LaLiga champions Barcelona in Los Angeles.
Last season’s Premier League runners-up have endured a pre-season of mixed results so far, drawing 1-1 with Nurnberg, beating MLS All Stars XI 5-0, but losing 2-0 to rivals United on Saturday.
Confirmed team news
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Dest, Araujo, Christensen, Marcos Alonso; Oriol Romeu, Pedri, Gündogan; Raphinha, Abde; Lewandowski
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Timber, Partey, Havertz, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Jesus
Doubts: Rice
Injured: Zinchenko
Time and date: 3.30am BST, Thursday, 27, 2023
Venue: SoFi Stadium
