Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is confident that new defender Riccardo Calafiori will be able to make his unofficial debut in Sunday's Emirates Cup clash with Lyon.
The ex-Bologna man was not considered for his first appearance in Wednesday's battle against Bayer Leverkusen, where the Gunners tore Xabi Alonso's men to shreds in a 4-1 drubbing.
However, having now had time to acclimatise to life in England, Arteta expects Calafiori to be available for the weekend, but any minutes should come off the substitutes' bench.
In contrast, Jurrien Timber should not be risked owing to a foot injury, while Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu are still recuperating from hamstring and knee issues respectively.
With Calafiori set for his Arsenal baptism as a substitute, there should be no alteration to the settled backline of David Raya, Ben White, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Oleksandr Zinchenko on Sunday.
Declan Rice's return from a post-Euro 2024 holiday could spell trouble for Jorginho's place in midfield, though; neither Kai Havertz nor Martin Odegaard should relinquish their spots.
Fabio Vieira and Leandro Trossard may also cede their places in attack to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, but the in-form Gabriel Jesus continues to spearhead the charge.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
Ben Knapton
