Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori were both absent from Arsenal’s squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Liverpool, but neither are a cause for concern.

On Wednesday night, Arsenal faced off against Liverpool in the last of three pre-season friendlies in the United States, but a couple of the Gunners’ senior defensive options were unavailable.

New signing Riccardo Calafiori wasn’t named in the lineup or on the bench, whilst Jurrien Timber dropped out of the squad as well.

The good news is that neither absence was injury related. Kaya Kaynak reports that both Calafiori and Timber are fine, and both were seen in attendance at the game.

Calafiori only joined Arsenal a few days earlier, and he’s been away on holiday until very recently due to his participation at Euro 2024 with Italy earlier in the summer. Only linking up with the Gunners on Monday, he wasn’t ready in time for Wednesday’s game.

As for Timber, the defender was simply being rested as he continues his full recovery from an ACL injury.

Timber had played 62 minutes for Arsenal against Bournemouth and another 63 against Manchester United, so he already has two hours of football under his belt in the last seven days.

With Timber and Calafiori out, Takehiro Tomiyasu injured, and William Saliba still on holiday, Jakub Kiwior ended up starting the game as Arsenal’s right-centre-back.

Mikel Arteta should have more of his usual options available by the time Arsenal’s next friendly rolls around, with the Gunners facing Bayer Leverkusen next Wednesday, August 7th at 18:00 BST.