Arsenal look to have received an injury boost over Jurrien Timber with a pivotal week of matches on the way following the upcoming international break.
The versatile Dutch defender went down hurt during the late stages of Saturday’s controversial Premier League draw against Brighton, prompting concern at the Emirates Stadium given that Timber missed almost his entire first season in English football following a £34million move from Ajax last summer after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage on his competitive debut.
The 23-year-old returned to feature twice at the end of last term, before stepping up his fitness over the summer and starting back-to-back matches in the league for Arsenal against Aston Villa and Brighton as well as coming off the bench against Wolves on opening weekend.
Timber looked as if he initially might play on against Brighton, but manager Mikel Arteta was understandably eager not to take any risks and quickly sent on Oleksandr Zinchenko in his place at left-back.
Timber received warm applause from the home fans as he made his way around the pitch and down the tunnel and did not appear to be moving too badly.
Supporters will now be relieved to hear from Arteta that he believes his defender was only suffering from cramp, with Arsenal already without the services of new signing Mikel Merino for the next few weeks after he sustained a shoulder injury during his very first training session with the club at London Colney on Thursday.
Striker Gabriel Jesus is also currently sidelined with a groin problem, while defender Takehiro Tomiyasu has yet to resume any training amid a knee issue. Full-back Kieran Tierney is also out with a hamstring injury suffered with Scotland at Euro 2024.
“No, he was I think cramping,” Arteta told reporters when asked about a possible injury to Timber. “He got a kick in the first half and was cramping so we had to take him off.”
Arsenal will hope to have as many players as possible fit and ready for the significant challenges that await in such a short space of time following the first international break of the season, which is followed by a north London derby clash at Tottenham on September 15.
The Gunners are then away to title rivals Manchester City a week later, with confirmation from Uefa on Saturday that they will begin their campaign in the new-look Champions League format away in Italy against current Europa League holders Atalanta three days before that crucial visit to the Etihad Stadium.
Arteta’s midfield options will be further depleted against Tottenham by the absence of Declan Rice, who will now serve a one-match suspension after being controversially dismissed for two yellow card offences against Brighton.
Raheem Sterling will be available for his debut against Spurs after signing on loan from Chelsea too late to be in contention to face Brighton, while loanee goalkeeper Neto should also be in the squad after joining from Bournemouth on deadline day.
Commenting on the loss of Rice for such an important fixture, the Arsenal boss said: “This is what happens. We have other players that can fulfil and we can give an opportunity to someone else.”
