Report: Arsenal insider shares what they've been told about Jurrien Timber's new injury

08/07/2024 10:07 AM

Ahead of Arsenal's meeting with Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates, it's become clear that Jurrien Timber won't be involved in the game.

Mikel Arteta will enjoy a reunion with Granit Xhaka in Arsenal's penultimate friendly before the new Premier League season begins.

But Arsenal will be without Timber, who also missed the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the last game of their stateside pre-season tour.

Otherwise, Timber has been a fixture of Arsenal's pre-season, playing as Arteta's right-sided centre-back whilst William Saliba enjoys a holiday after his efforts at the Euros.

Timber has been hailed as Arsenal's best trainer during pre-season, set for a breakthrough campaign in north London, after being limited to 261 minutes last term owing to an unfortunate knee injury.

That being said, it will be a concern to Arsenal fans that Timber is missing right now – an absence that Arteta may eventually shed more light on.

But in the meantime, Team News and Ticks, who are very in the know on all things Arsenal, have provided some clarity on the injury.

Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber hasn’t suffered another knee injury

Sharing the update on their Patreon, the outlet explained that Timber was only missing the tie with Leverkusen as a precaution.

Furthermore, TNATS said that Timber has injured his foot and not his knee – as is being widely reported.

The Dutchman may be ready for Sunday's game against Lyon, but it's not guaranteed.

READ MORE: Arsenal target has just rejected the chance to join PSG

Of course, it would be a huge blow were Timber to be injured for a significant period, a player who is so crucial to Arteta's plans even with Riccardo Calafiori on board.

Calafiori and Timber could often find themselves competing to start on the left, even if the Dutchman is capable in all four defensive roles.

Alternatively, Timber would be an option for Arteta to finally hand the likes of Saliba and Ben White a rest – which he wasn't able to do last season.

Therefore, Arsenal fans will be keeping everything crossed that this latest update is accurate, hoping that Timber may return to face Lyon on the weekend.

All that being said, Barcelona may have just delivered some exciting transfer news for Arsenal.