Mikel Arteta provides triple Arsenal injury update as Jurrien Timber clarity given
Mikel Arteta has spoken to the press.(Image: Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta has provided an injury update on Jurrien Timber ahead of Arsenal's clash against Sunderland. The 25-year-old defender, who underwent minor surgery over the summer, could finally be available for selection when the Gunners face Regis Le Bris' side at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Timber wasn't expected to return to action until later this month, but he appears to have made good progress, having returned to first-team training earlier this week. The Netherlands international was spotted on the grass on Tuesday morning, but was left out of the matchday squad for the UEFA Champions League 'league phase' opener against Napoli on Wednesday night.
Speaking to reporters at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Friday morning, Arteta began by confirming that no new issues have arisen since the trip to Naples, when the Gunners enjoyed a 1-0 win over the Italian giants at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
When pressed on the availability of Ben White, the Spaniard replied: "He's fine. Excellent, he's excellent."
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On Cristhian Mosquera, who, at the end of last month, was forced to come off during Arsenal's win over Aston Villa due to a 'muscular issue', Arteta said: "He's been really well, let's see if he can get this game or the next one, it will be around that time, I think."
And then on Jurrien Timber, the Arsenal boss kept his cards close to his chest. He said: "Let's see, we have another training session, he's been doing really well, he's been training with us now for a few days and he looks in good shape."
For large parts of last season, there were spells when only Timber or White would be available for selection, so Mosquera and even Declan Rice, on a couple of occasions, had to fill in at times.
When quizzed on the problems he faced at right-back, Arteta said: "Yeah, that was one of the challenges last year when we had injuries in the same position. Hopefully, this season we will have more luck, and we will manage that better. If we do, hopefully, the number of positions will be low."
On the challenges of rotating Timber and White when they're both available, Arteta said: "With Jurrien, he joined and had an ACL, that has consequences afterwards. Then White comes in, you load that player for 15 games, the chance of injury can go up."
When asked about Ezri Konsa, who has played right-back in the past for Aston Villa and England, Arteta said: "Well, relaxed, we have him and Jurrien out for long periods and the issue with Mosquera.
"We were really thin, and we needed to put a new player in that position. We've done it, and so far it is working well."
Arsenal haven't put a step wrong so far this season, winning each of their first three Premier League games, and Arteta wants to extend his side's perfect start. Last term, Sunderland held the Gunners to a 2-2 draw at the Stadium of Light, with Brian Brobbey scoring a stoppage-time equaliser.
The Arsenal boss said: "We have to focus on the next match. Tomorrow night is an incredible atmosphere; we know how tough it is going to be."
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