Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has cast doubt on Jurrien Timber‘s ability to start the upcoming Premier League ma….see more
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has cast a shadow of doubt over Jurrien Timber’s potential starting spot in the upcoming Premier League match against Aston Villa on Saturday. The Dutch defender, who joined the Gunners in the summer transfer window, has been struggling with a minor setback during pre-season, leaving Arteta uncertain about his availability for the Villa clash.
Timber, who was signed from Ajax for a reported fee of £34 million, had been enjoying a promising pre-season with Arsenal until he experienced a minor issue that has put his debut in jeopardy. Arteta, known for his cautious approach to player injuries, has revealed that the club is taking a careful approach to Timber’s recovery, which may mean that he misses out on the starting lineup against Villa.
“We had a good pre-season with Jurrien until he had a little setback,” Arteta said in a press conference. “We’re being cautious with him, and we don’t want to rush him back into action too quickly. We’ll assess him in the next few days and make a decision based on his fitness levels.”
Arteta’s comments have raised concerns among Arsenal fans, who were eagerly anticipating Timber’s Premier League debut. The 21-year-old defender was expected to bring a new level of solidity and depth to the Gunners’ backline, but his injury has thrown his involvement into doubt.
While Arteta remains optimistic about Timber’s long-term prospects, he is unwilling to take any risks with the defender’s fitness. “We know how important it is to have Jurrien available for the long term,” Arteta added. “We can’t afford to rush him back and risk making the injury worse. We’ll take our time and make sure he’s fully fit before we throw him into the fray.”
The news has also sparked debate among Arsenal supporters, with some calling for Arteta to take a more aggressive approach to Timber’s recovery. However, the majority of fans agree that caution is the best approach, given the defender’s importance to the team’s long-term ambitions.
As the days tick down to the Aston Villa match, Arteta will face a difficult decision regarding Timber’s involvement. Will he risk playing the defender and potentially exacerbate the injury, or will he err on the side of caution and leave him out of the starting lineup? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – Jurrien Timber’s Premier League debut is hanging precariously in the balance.
