Mikel Arteta provides fresh injury update on Jurrien Timber
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided a fresh injury update on Jurrien Timber ahead of the Champions League group stage clash against PSV Eindhoven tomorrow.
The Netherlands star joined the Gunners from Ajax last summer but he managed to make just one competitive appearance before suffering serious knee injury.
Timber is currently going through his indoor rehabilitation and when asked for an update, the manager said that he is doing really well at the current phase of his recovery.
However, Arteta added that the club are going to miss him for a long time, he said (via football.london): “He’s doing really well. He’s going through a really significant injury but he’s flying at the stage that he is right now.”
“The way that he works every day is very satisfying to watch. We’re still going to miss him for a long time. The first few steps are crucial for the amount of work they have to do in the knee to get the mobility and the strength back.”
Meanwhile, the Gunners boss was asked about teenagers Ethan Nwaneri, Reuell Walters and Lino Sousa, who have travelled with the squad to Netherlands to face PSV tomorrow.
Arteta said that they are three big prospects, who the club want to keep developing. He hinted that the trio could be involved in the final group game depending on the situation.
He added: “Three big prospects. We want to keep developing players from our system. There are circumstances that have brought them here. We will try to give them the opportunity if we can in the right moment.”
Arsenal have already booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. Arteta is likely to make wholesale changes with a view to the congested league schedule before the New Year.
Gabriel Martinelli missed training with an illness earlier today and he could be out of the game. Bukayo Saka could also be rested with the heavy workload over recent weeks.
The likes of Reiss Nelson and Leandro Trossard should start out wide tomorrow. Nwaneri will be hoping to make his Champions League after netting five sensational goals in the FA Youth Cup.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
