Arsenal lineup vs. Athletic Bilbao: Predicted XI for Emirates Cup fixture as four new signings start for Mikel Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is hopeful of receiving a triple injury boost for Saturday's Emirates Cup clash with Athletic Bilbao in North London.

The Gunners - who have won each of the last three editions of the friendly competition - were without all of Leandro Trossard, Riccardo Calafiori and Kai Havertz for Wednesday's 3-2 defeat to Villarreal in front of their own fans.

Trossard and Calafiori were both ruled out with the issues they sustained on Arsenal's pre-season tour of Asia, while Havertz suffered a new niggle after landing back in the UK, but Arteta has expressed confidence that they will be fit to play a part on Saturday.

However, the Spaniard should certainly not risk any member of the trio from the first whistle, and the same goes for Jurrien Timber and Gabriel Magalhaes, who only made their comebacks from long-term issues as substitutes on Wednesday.

The hosts can still alter the left side of their backline, though, as Oleksandr Zinchenko is a candidate to replace Myles Lewis-Skelly, while Cristhian Mosquera is a viable option in the left centre-back role.

Arteta started what can be accurately described as his second-string midfield against Villarreal, as Ethan Nwaneri, Christian Norgaard and Merino linked arms, but a first-choice engine room should now see Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice join forces.

Havertz being spared from the first whistle would allow Viktor Gyokeres to make back-to-back starts, while an unofficial full debut could also come Noni Madueke's way on the left-hand side of the attack after his brief cameo in midweek.

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Raya; White, Saliba, Mosquera, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Madueke