Arsenal given Jurrien Timber injury boost ahead of Napoli but two stars miss training
Mikel Arteta during an Arsenal training session at the Sobha Realty Training Centre(Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Jurrien Timber was spotted in training ahead of Arsenal's clash against Napoli in the UEFA Champions League. The 25-year-old defender, who underwent minor surgery over the summer, could be available for selection when the Gunners face Massimiliano Allegri's side in the league phase opener at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on Wednesday night.
Timber wasn't expected to return to action until later this month, but he's made good progress on his rehabilitation programme. He appeared to be in contention to feature in the matchday squad at the weekend, but he was left out, making Piero Hincapie the only defender on the bench.
Speaking to reporters at the Sobha Realty Training last week, Mikel Arteta provided an update on the Netherlands international. The Arsenal boss said: "He’s in really good condition at the moment, he’s been a few weeks on the pitch and has been training with us, so he’s in a really good place."
Arteta will be expected to provide another update on Tuesday evening once the Arsenal squad have landed in Italy. The Gunners still look set to be without a few big names, though; William Saliba and Cristhian Mosquera were absent from the final training session on home turf ahead of the clash.
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Saliba has been out for a while with a back injury, which fortunately did not require surgery, and may not be back in action until later this year. An official statement from the club in July said: "Specialist reviews on William’s return to London this week have confirmed that he has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation.
"Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme.
"William’s rehabilitation will commence immediately, with continual management of his injury, and he is expected to be out of action for an extended period."
Arsenal face Napoli in their opening Champions League fixture on September 9. Fans can watch the game live on TNT Sports via HBO Max or Prime Video's TNT Sports channel.
As for Mosquera, he suffered a knock and was forced to come off during Arsenal's win over Aston Villa. The 22-year-old defender was left out of the matchday squad that faced Chelsea at the weekend, but Arteta suggested it was just a precaution.
"He had a muscular issue," confirmed the Gunners boss. "We think it is not too much, but we need to wait and see in the next few days how it evolves."
Bruno Guimaraes was, however, spotted in action at the Sobha Realty Training on Tuesday morning. The 28-year-old midfielder, who had been nursing a groin issue, was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
Although it appears he could be ready to start again, Arteta will be expected to provide an update once Arsenal have touched down in Naples.
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