Arsenal is grappling with concerns regarding Leandro Trossard’s injury as they gear up for their pre-season clash against Barcelona. Trossard suffered a knock during Arsenal’s commanding 5-0 victory over an MLS All Stars team last week, leading to his early substitution after 56 minutes and subsequently ruling him out of the match against Manchester United.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta emphasized caution, stating, “He got a knock, and obviously we don’t want to take any risks at this stage. He had some pain, but I don’t expect it to be anything significant.”
Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko’s absence has been lingering since he sustained a calf injury during the last season’s run-in. The versatile defender returned to training and is gradually working his way back to full fitness.
However, Arsenal will not risk Zinchenko against LaLiga champions Barcelona in Los Angeles, as they have high hopes of having him fully fit for the Premier League season’s commencement in just over two weeks.
As Arsenal continues its pre-season campaign, they have encountered a mixed bag of results, drawing 1-1 with Nurnberg, securing an impressive 5-0 victory against an MLS All Stars XI, but also facing a 2-0 defeat at the hands of rivals Manchester United.
While Barcelona has confirmed their starting lineup, Arsenal’s XI for the upcoming match remains to be determined. The uncertainty surrounding Trossard’s fitness adds to the anticipation, while Zinchenko’s gradual recovery remains a priority for Arsenal, as they aim to ensure his availability for the beginning of the Premier League season.