£34m Arsenal star poised for first start this season vs Brighton after Thomas Tuchel update

Arsenal right-back Jurrien Timber is poised to make his first start of the season during Saturday’s Premier League game against Brighton & Hove Albion on the road.

The Dutchman made his first appearance of the campaign at Sunderland last weekend. He came on as a half-time substitute for Ben White, who picked up a minor groin issue.

Timber was subsequently rested for the Carabao Cup third-round win at Ipswich Town, but he looks likely to make the starting XI for the first time this term against Brighton.

In his pre-match press conference, manager Mikel Arteta said that White is doing well, and he will decide on his availability after the final training session (which took place this afternoon).

Unlike Timber, White has not been seen in training photos since. It seems that White will be ruled out tomorrow, with England head coach Thomas Tuchel also confirming his injury.

Tuchel said that both White and Reece James were excluded due to injuries. James is not in the Chelsea squad tonight, which suggests White may not feature for Arsenal either tomorrow.

Hence, Timber looks poised to make his first start of the campaign for the Gunners. The £34 million signing has been the regular right-back for Arsenal when fit and has the opportunity to reclaim a starting berth, now that he has fully recovered from a nagging groin problem.

The 25-year-old missed the World Cup with the Netherlands for the same reason, but he appears fully fit at the moment, considering he has been called up by his national side for the Nations League matches.

Still, Arteta may handle him with caution. Timber could be substituted at the hour mark if Arsenal find themselves with a commanding lead. The manager could use Declan Rice or Martin Zubimendi as a makeshift right-back.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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