Unai Emery has hailed Dani Ceballos’ mental strength after the midfielder took a bad kick to the ankle that left Emery thinking it was broken.

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 04: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal looks on during the Joan Gamper trophy friendly match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal at Nou Camp on August 04, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 04: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal looks on during the Joan Gamper trophy friendly match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal at Nou Camp on August 04, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Speaking to the press ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League bow on Sunday afternoon against Newcastle at St James’ Park, the Arsenal head coach said, “Ceballos’ mind is very strong.

“His mentality. Last Sunday, when he received a big kick on his ankle [against Barcelona] I thought ‘oh, it’s broken’.

“But after, on Monday, he was training – (he said) ‘I’m fine and want to train’. He is showing us every day his ambition, his hunger is big. I think we need players like this.”

BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 04: Clement Lenglet of Barcelona is shown a yellow card by referee Juan Martinez Munuera after a challenge on Dani Ceballos of Arsenal during the Joan Gamper Trophy pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal at Nou Camp on August 04, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – AUGUST 04: Clement Lenglet of Barcelona is shown a yellow card by referee Juan Martinez Munuera after a challenge on Dani Ceballos of Arsenal during the Joan Gamper Trophy pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal at Nou Camp on August 04, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Speaking after the Barcelona game, Emery had indicated that Ceballos would miss at least a few days’ training but he did not.

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The 23-year-old signed from Real Madrid on a season-long loan, with no obligation to buy, and could make his first competitive start for Arsenal against The Magpies.

Ceballos played just 43 minutes for Arsenal in pre-season across two games (Barcelona (22′, Lyon 21′).

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