Mikel Arteta has confirmed Jurrien Timber did not suffer a fresh injury setback after the defender was left out of Arsenal’s 4-2 Carabao Cup win over Ipswich Town.
Timber had only returned from a five-month absence against Sunderland on Saturday, playing 53 minutes after replacing Ben White at half-time.
His omission at Portman Road therefore raised fresh concerns, particularly with Arsenal already dealing with several defensive injuries.
However, Arteta has clarified that Timber was deliberately rested to manage his workload.
Asked whether the Netherlands international had suffered another setback, Arteta said: “No, everything is fine.”
The Arsenal manager added that Timber had played more minutes than originally planned against Sunderland after such a lengthy absence and therefore needed protecting.
Football.London’s latest Arsenal injury update also reports that Timber’s absence at Ipswich was precautionary rather than the result of another injury problem.
Timber could return against Brighton
The clarification is significant ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Brighton.
Arsenal’s defensive options are already stretched, with ReadArsenal covering the latest Hincapie, White, Mosquera and Saliba injury situation before Brighton.
William Saliba remains out with a back problem, while White and Cristhian Mosquera are also concerns.
Timber, though, appears available.
Arteta’s decision at Ipswich was about protecting a player returning from a long lay-off rather than responding to another physical issue.
That should put Timber firmly back into contention for Brighton, provided he reacts well to training before the weekend.
Comments.
Loading comments…