Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has revealed why Gabriel Magalhães and Jurrien Timber were out of the squad for their 1-0 win over AC Milan on Wednesday night.

Bukoyo Saka’s lone strike was all the Gunners needed to beat the Italian side in Singapore on Wednesday.

Magalhães did not take part in the game due to a niggle, while Timber is yet to return to full training.

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After the game the former Manchester City assistant coach said he did not involve the two defenders in the game to minimise risk ahead of the new season.

The Spaniard would not want to use players who are not fully fit.

He said via Football London, “With Jurrien he is still not there. He is still not fully training yet with us. Gabby had a little niggle the other day in training.”

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He noted that Magalhães has been out so long hence the need to manage him.

Speaking about Saka, who had an injury layoff last season, Arteta said the winger is back to his best.

Real Madrid have agreed to their manager Xabi Alonso’s two requests amid the ongoing summer transfer window.

As reported by Madrid Zone, via Cadena SER, Alonso has informed Real Madrid that he wants Dani Ceballos to stay at the club beyond this summer transfer window.

The report added that Alonso also told Real Madrid not to sell any midfielder this summer, adding that the Los Blancos agreed to his request.

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Recall that Ceballos has been linked with a move away from Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

The former Arsenal star has been linked with a move to Spanish La Liga side Real Betis this summer.

This comes after Luka Modric’s departure from the Los Blancos earlier this month.

Alonso is keen to strengthen his squad ahead of the new 2025/26 LaLiga campaign after their exit at the Club World Cup at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain some days ago.

Newcastle United striker, Alexander Isak, has not been included in the travelling squad for their pre-season tour.

The Magpies have, however, denied that it is not because of transfer speculations surrounding the Swede.

This was confirmed by football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, on X on Thursday morning.

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Romano wrote: “Alexander Isak has not traveled with Newcastle to Singapore for pre-season tour.

“Newcastle insist it’s not due to a transfer reason with the striker still nursing a minor thigh injury.”

Isak was also dropped for their 5-0 defeat to Celtic last weekend.

He is now expected to miss Sunday’s friendly against Arsenal in Singapore.