Jurrien Timber looks set to remain absent for Arsenal’s friendly against Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday, but Riccardo Calafiori could be available for the first time.

Following his absence for Arsenal’s last two friendlies and reports that he’s managing an injury, Jurrien Timber is expected to miss the Gunners’ Emirates Cup game against Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday.

Timber hasn’t been seen in any training pictures this week, and rumours on social media suggest he wasn’t with the squad on Saturday for their pre-game overnight hotel stay.

Yet it’s not all bad news ahead of the game, as Riccardo Calafiori was reportedly with the squad this time around. Calafiori travelled to Wednesday’s game separately from the rest of the team, but this time he seems set to join them.

Gary Jacob confirmed earlier this week that Timber has been struggling with a load-bearing injury.

Questioned on Timber’s Bayer Leverkusen absence on Wednesday, Arteta explained: “Jurrien had a little discomfort in his foot in the last few days and obviously after the amount of time he’s been out we didn’t want to take any risk with him.”

As for Calafiori, Arteta suggested it’s just a matter of easing him in after all the back and forth between countries to complete his move and link up with the team on tour.

“In regards to Riccardo, so much happened to him in one week,” Arteta said.

“He’s come into a new environment with a different methodology and different training so we are managing him and we want to do it slowly and in the best way possible. Hopefully he will be available to play some minutes on Sunday.”

Calafiori’s presence with the squad on Saturday appears to suggest he’s ready for those minutes against Lyon, with team news to be officially confirmed at 13:00 BST ahead of the 14:00 kick-off.