Jurriën Timber was pictured in Arsenal’s final training session before Saturday’s Premier League trip to Brighton, providing a potentially significant selection clue for Mikel Arteta.
Timber missed Tuesday night’s 4-2 Carabao Cup victory over Ipswich Town after only recently returning from a groin problem.
Arteta had already confirmed that the Dutchman’s absence at Portman Road was precautionary rather than the result of a fresh setback.
The defender was then visible in Arsenal’s final session at Sobha Realty Training Centre on Friday, strengthening hopes that he could return to the squad at the Amex.
Jurriën Timber Trains Before Brighton Clash
Arsenal entered Friday with several defensive fitness questions still unresolved.
Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapié and Timber all missed the victory over Ipswich.
Speaking during his pre-Brighton press conference, Arteta said he was “very optimistic” about the quartet but explained that one final training session would determine their availability.
Timber subsequently appeared in Arsenal’s published training photographs.
Football.london’s report from Arsenal’s final session noted that he was the only one of the four defenders clearly visible in the gallery.
That does not mean White, Mosquera or Hincapié definitely failed to train.
Arsenal do not publish images of every player involved in every session, and the club have given no official confirmation that any of the trio will miss Brighton.
Timber’s appearance nevertheless provides the clearest visual indication yet that he is pushing to be involved.
Timber Return Could Solve Arsenal Right-Back Problem
Timber’s availability would be particularly useful because White remains a doubt.
White suffered a groin issue during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory at Sunderland and was replaced at half-time.
Timber came on despite having only recently returned from his own long-term groin problem.
That appearance was his first competitive action for several months, which is why Arteta chose not to use him again at Ipswich.
Our latest Jurriën Timber injury update explains why Arsenal have been carefully managing his workload.
Martin Zubimendi filled in at right-back against Ipswich, but Arteta would naturally prefer an established defender against Brighton’s aggressive attacking system.
Timber’s presence in Friday’s session therefore matters.
Arsenal Still Waiting on Defensive Trio
There remains uncertainty around White, Mosquera and Hincapié.
Arteta avoided ruling any of them out when speaking on Friday
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