'Really good': Mikel Arteta confirms big injury boost on £34m Arsenal star, could face Chelsea

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an injury boost on defender Jurrien Timber ahead of the Premier League clash against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners take on the Blues in Sunday’s much-awaited London derby. Ahead of the encounter, Arteta has issued a positive update on Timber, who has yet to feature this season.

The Dutchman has been struggling with a nagging groin this year. He has not played in any competitive game since the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in May.

Speaking in today’s presser, Arteta said the Netherlands international is in ‘really good’ condition at the moment, and he has been training with the team for the past few weeks.

The Spanish tactician added that tomorrow’s training session will decide his availability for Sunday.

Arteta said (via Arsenal.com): “He’s in really good condition at the moment. He’s been on the pitch for a few weeks and has been training with us, so he’s in a really good place. We will decide again tomorrow after training.”

In recent years, Timber has established himself as the regular right-back ahead of Ben White, as he is better all-round and has stronger defensive attributes than the Englishman.

White has done well at the start of the campaign, but there is always a sense that he may struggle against a fast dribbling winger. Chelsea’s Morgan Rogers could test his defensive resolve on Sunday.

Judging by Arteta’s positive update on Timber, the £34 million signing looks poised to return to the matchday squad for the derby. He may also play some part against the Blues if required.

It is unlikely that he will start for the Gunners, having not featured competitively for several months, but he could be deemed fit enough to make a 15-minute cameo at the weekend.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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