Arsenal fans have been wondering why Mikel Arteta has left out Jurrien Timber in the Gunners’ last three pre-season outings. The Dutch fullback had returned from a long term injury earlier in the preseason, but now there has been widespread speculation about another injury setback. We have some interesting bits of Arsenal team news for you as the Mikel Arteta has finally left the lid on Timber’s current situation.
Arsenal Transfer News: Is Jurrien Timber Injured Again?
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Jurrien Timber’s condition after the defender sat out Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Lyon in the Emirates Cup on Sunday.
Set-pieces proved to be Arsenal’s winning formula as goals from centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães secured a 2-0 victory over Lyon in their final pre-season match. The Gunners now turn their attention to their Premier League opener against Wolves at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
Beside enjoying the euphoria of another dominant pre-season performance, Arsenal fans were surprised to see Timber absent from the matchday squad yet again.
Timber’s Arsenal career has been plagued by misfortune since his £38m move from Ajax last summer. A serious knee injury cut short his debut season, limiting him to just five competitive appearances.
The 23-year-old has played a total of 125 minutes in pre-season friendlies against Bournemouth and Manchester United. However, he’s been absent from Arsenal’s last three fixtures.
Unsurprisingly, Arteta had to answer questions about Timber’s absence following Arsenal’s victory over Lyon on Sunday.
“It’s fine. He’s been doing some individual work, that’s clear now,” the official Arsenal website quoted the Spaniard. “So we expect him to be ready to train with the group in the next week, because he has no reaction. So quite positive.”
Timber is not the only Arsenal defender who has been spending a lot of time in the medical room lately. The North Londoners have been without Takehiro Tomiyasu throughout pre-season due to a persistent knee injury.
Unfortunately, Tomiyasu’s recovery is not progressing as well as Timber’s.
“Yeah, I think it will take weeks on that one, unfortunately,” Arteta revealed. “He’s going to have to be patient and work through it because I think it’s going to take a few weeks.”
Calafiori Makes Arsenal Debut
Arsenal fans were delighted to see their latest summer recruit Riccardo Calafiori in action for the first time. The Italian came on in the second half and produced a 20-minute cameo.
Calafiori’s £42 million move from Bologna has made him a focal point for Arsenal this summer. The 22-year-old Italian has arrived with considerable expectation, which Arteta’s post-match comments following his debut against Lyon have only intensified.
“He brings a lot of versatility because he can play in two or three different positions and especially in attack, he can occupy different spaces because he’s a real defender. When you see his presence, his physicality, how he goes to the duels, he’s unbelievable. Obviously, he’s done a lot last year and I think he’s a player that can improve us.”
