Aston Villa v Arsenal - Premier League
Jurrien Timber missed out on the clash with Club Brugge on Wednesday (Picture: Getty Images)
Jurrien Timber has joined the list of injured Arsenal stars, missing out on the Champions League trip to Club Brugge on Wednesday.
The Dutch defender has been in brilliant form this season, starting at right-back as the Gunners shine in the Premier League and in Europe.
However, he was not in action in Belgium this week, with Ben White filling in on the right of the defence as Arsenal picked up a 3-0 win.
Mikel Arteta fielded a makeshift back four at Club Brugge, with Christian Norgaard playing at centre-back alongside Piero Hincapie, while Myles Lewis-Skelly started at left-back.
The manager addressed Timber’s absence from the squad and the fact Riccardo Calafiori could only make the bench on Wednesday night.
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Both started in the defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday and were nursing injuries picked up at Villa Park.
Speaking before the game, Arteta said: ‘They both had issues from the weekend, both really bad kicks.
Arsenal Boards the Team Flight to Belgium for the UEFA Champions League
Timber did travel to Belgium with the Arsenal squad this week (Picture: Getty Images)
‘For Jurrien it was too early and for Ricci [Calafiori] we have to manage to see if he can do some minutes.’
Calafiori came off the bench in Belgium, replacing Hincapie after 63 minutes as Arsenal ease him back to full fitness.
The Gunners are next in action on Saturday evening at home to Wolves and it is yet to be made clear whether Arteta will bring Timber back into the squad against the Premier League’s bottom club.
There will be no Calafiori at the Emirates this weekend as he is serving a suspension for picking up five yellow cards.
Club Brugge v Arsenal - UEFA Champions League
Mikel Arteta is dealing with a number of injury headaches (Picture: Getty Images)
Arsenal are dealing with a number of injuries currently, especially at the back.
Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera remain sidelined, while William Saliba could not play on Wednesday but is nearing a return.
Declan Rice missed the trip to Club Brugge through illness, while Leandro Trossard is injured, set to miss this weekend’s action.
Club Brugge KV v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6
Gabriel Jesus was back in action for Arsenal as he came off the bench against Club Brugge (Picture: Getty Images)
Kai Havertz is also still out, but there was positive news on Wednesday as Gabriel Jesus returned to action after being out since January due to a knee injury.
‘So happy for him, I think you can see how much we all love him,’ said Arteta of the returning striker.
‘It’s been a very, very difficult and long journey. For 11 months he’s been fighting against another very difficult injury and to see him back with that smile, with that energy and with that quality in his first performance with us is something really impressive and we’re all delighted for him.’
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