Jurrien Timber’s injury recovery will keep Arsenal waiting after Mikel Arteta confirmed the defender still needs several weeks before he is ready to return.
Timber has been working his way back from the groin problem that ruled him out of the World Cup and prevented him from featuring during Arsenal’s pre-season programme.
There has now been encouraging progress, with the Netherlands international back working on the pitch.
However, Arteta has revealed that Arsenal are still gradually increasing Timber’s workload and do not expect an immediate return.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield against Manchester City, the Arsenal boss told Reuters that Timber remains “a few weeks” away.
Jurrien Timber injury leaves Arsenal facing early-season wait
Arteta hopes Timber can begin working with the first-team group within the next week before Arsenal assess how his body responds to the increased load.
That timeline rules him out of the Community Shield and leaves his availability for the opening weeks of Arsenal’s Premier League title defence in doubt.
The champions begin their league campaign against Coventry City on Friday, only five days after facing Manchester City in Cardiff.
Timber’s continued absence is particularly significant because William Saliba also remains sidelined with the back problem he sustained during the World Cup.
That has increased the importance of Arsenal adding another defensive option before the transfer window closes.
ReadArsenal reported on Friday that Arsenal have made a move for Jarell Quansah, with Bayer Leverkusen’s England international among the defenders being considered.
Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White and Piero Hincapie give Arteta alternatives while Timber and Saliba recover.
The encouraging part is that Timber is now moving in the right direction rather than suffering another setback.
But Arteta’s latest update makes clear Arsenal will still have to begin the season without one of their most versatile defenders.
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