Jurrien Timber
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal are anxiously awaiting updates on key defenders, including Jurrien Timber, who was substituted in the second half due to a suspected injury during Tuesday’s 2-1 victory over Fulham.
Mikel Merino had earlier given Arsenal the lead with a deflected effort from Ethan Nwaneri’s cut-back, netting his sixth goal in 10 games for club and country. However, the goal was overshadowed by Gabriel Magalhães limping off in the first half, casting doubt over his availability for next week’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid.
Bukayo Saka marked his return in style, scoring just seven minutes after coming on as a substitute. The England winger headed in an acrobatic flick from Gabriel Martinelli at the back post, celebrating his first appearance since December following a hamstring injury. During his celebration, Saka embraced a member of Arsenal’s medical staff, acknowledging the team behind his recovery.
Despite the win, the night was marred by injuries to both Gabriel and Timber. Gabriel appeared to pull up while sprinting back to chase Fulham’s Adama Traoré, clutching his hamstring before being replaced by Jakub Kiwior in the 16th minute.
READ MORE: Latest update on Gabriel Magalhães injury blow against Fulham
Timber also showed signs of discomfort in the first half but managed to continue before eventually requiring treatment and being substituted in the second period.
Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta expressed concern over the fitness of his two defenders.
Jurrien Timber injury
Jurrien Timber (Image credit: Getty Images)
“The downside is Gabi and Jurrien,” Arteta said. “We don’t know how they are going to be. We will assess them tomorrow and understand better. If there are two players in this team who never want to come off, it’s those two. Gabi felt something in his hamstring—we don’t know how serious it is. Jurrien Timber was already struggling early on, managed to continue, but at some point, he couldn’t. That’s the downside. Jurrien’s issue is with his knee.”
Arsenal’s defensive crisis deepens with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori already sidelined, the latter picking up a knee injury during international duty with Italy.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE NOW.ARSENAL WHATSAPP GROUP CHAT NOW!
Ben White was also ruled out of the Fulham match due to what Arteta described as a “niggle.” With injuries mounting, Arsenal’s backline looks increasingly vulnerable ahead of their crucial Champions League clash.
“The good thing is, it’s been like this all season,” Arteta added. “We missed Martinelli for three months. Bukayo for four months. Kai [Havertz] for four months. Gabi Jesus for almost the entire season. Ben White hasn’t participated much either. But we’ve managed to stay where we are despite all these setbacks. We lose four defenders in one week—Calafiori, Ben White, Jurrien, and Gabi—but we still have others who are ready to step up.”
With Gabriel and Jurrien Timber now major doubts, Arsenal will have to make do with a depleted squad when Real Madrid travel to north London next week for their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
NEXT ARTICLE: Arsenal suffer another huge injury setback against Fulham