Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of defender Jurrien Timber after the Dutchman suffered a problem during pre-season.
Since his move to Arsenal from Ajax back in the summer of 2023, it has been a frustrating time at the Emirates Stadium for Jurrien Timber as he has had a catalogue of injury problems.
Arsenal have signed Bologna defender Riccardo Calafiori this summer with the Italian looking likely to line up at either left-back or at the centre of the Gunners’ defence.
The signing of Calafiori makes a lot of sense due to Timber’s injury issues with the Italian having an impeccable injury record last season for the Serie A club.
Mikel Arteta provides Jurrien Timber fitness update
Speaking to the Arsenal website ahead of this weekend’s opening Premier League game of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Mikel Arteta provided a fitness update on the Dutchman ahead of the game at the Emirates Stadium.
“Jurrien will be in the squad tomorrow,” Arteta said. “Obviously he had a really tough period but he used it in a great way I think because he’s managed to get a lot of things done and improved in many areas except playing.
“He found it really helpful I think and now he’s ready and he has a chance.”
Speaking to the media, Arteta also provided an update on Kieran Tierney’s fitness with the Scottish defender missing since sustaining an injury at Euro 2024.
“He needs to focus on recovering in the best possible way,” the Spaniard said, “it’s been a tough time for him again with the last injury. We have to try to support him and make sure he gets back fit.”
Jurrien Timber has to prove himself at the Gunners
The Gunners have made just one signing this summer in the form of Calafiori and if the Italian continues the form he showed at Euro 2024, Arsenal may have a brilliant player on their hands.
This would make Timber’s position at Arsenal an interesting one. Since his move to the Gunners, he has, for 90% of his time in North London, been injured.
With Takehiro Tomiyasu set to be backup for Calafiori, this leaves Timber in an awkward situation. Perhaps the Dutchman will fight it out with Ben White to be the first-choice right-back this season.
You get the sense that this campaign will be an important one for the Dutchman.
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