Arsenal may have received a timely boost concerning defender Jurrien Timber as they prepare for a crucial period following the upcoming international break.
Timber, a versatile Dutch defender, had to leave the field during Arsenal’s controversial Premier League draw against Brighton, raising concerns at the Emirates Stadium. This was particularly worrying because Timber had previously missed nearly his entire first season in English football due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury, sustained during his competitive debut shortly after his £34 million transfer from Ajax last summer.
After returning to full fitness towards the end of last season, the 23-year-old Timber featured in two matches and worked hard over the summer to prepare for the new campaign He started in consecutive Premier League games for Arsenal against Aston Villa and Brighton, and came off the bench in the season opener against Wolves. However, during the Brighton match, Timber initially continued playing despite discomfort. Manager Mikel Arteta, cautious of risking further injury, substituted him with Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.
As Timber left the pitch, he received applause from the Arsenal fans, and his movement did not seem overly restricted, which offered some relief. Further reassurance came from Arteta, who downplayed the situation, explaining that Timber was suffering from cramp rather than a more serious injury. This clarification was crucial, as Arsenal is already managing several other injury concerns.
New signing Mikel Merino is expected to be out for several weeks after injuring his shoulder during his first training session. Additionally, striker Gabriel Jesus is sidelined with a groin issue, defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is unavailable due to a knee injury, and full-back Kieran Tierney is recovering from a hamstring problem sustained during Euro 2024.
Arteta addressed Timber’s situation, saying, “He was cramping, so we had to take him off.”
Arsenal faces a challenging schedule post-international break, starting with a north London derby against Tottenham on September 15, followed by a crucial away match against Manchester City a week later. This demanding fixture list continues with the start of their Champions League campaign, including a trip to Italy to face Atalanta, the Europa League holders.
Additionally, Arsenal will be without key midfielder Declan Rice against Tottenham, as he serves a one-match suspension following his controversial red card against Brighton.
However, on a positive note, Raheem Sterling, on loan from Chelsea, will be available for his debut, and loanee goalkeeper Neto, who joined from Bournemouth, should also be available for selection. Arteta emphasized the importance of squad depth, stating that other players will need to step up during this challenging period.
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