Gabriel, who recently returned from hamstring surgery, was given a break by Arteta and the medical team to allow him to focus on his recovery. Despite his recent return in a closed-door friendly, the team decided to prioritize his well-being.

Timber, who underwent surgery late in the 2024/25 season, is currently in rehab and was not included in the matchday squad. Arteta explained that Timber is not yet fully trained with the team and needs more time to recover to full fitness.

"We need to be careful with Jurrien's recovery and also with Gabriel's, as he's been out for a while," Arteta said. "We have to manage their training and playing time to minimize the risk of injury." The team is taking a cautious approach to ensure both players make a smooth and safe return to action.

With the team's pre-season preparations ongoing, Arteta is focusing on fine-tuning the squad's fitness and tactics ahead of the new season.