Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has provided a positive update on the fitness of Gabriel and Jurrien Timber.
The defensive duo were forced off during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool on Sunday, with fears they could add to the Gunners’ ever-growing list of injuries, which already includes Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Califiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu, with William Saliba also suspended.
Gabriel injured his knee early in the second half before, after trying to carry on, he had to make way for Jakub Kiwior.
But the Brazilian has undergone tests and Arteta has revealed: “it doesn’t look bad at all”.
Ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup game against Preston, the Gunners boss said: “We are still assessing him. It doesn’t look bad at all. It was much better the next day. He has done some tests.”
Timber was also taken off with less than 15 minutes to play but Arteta has since revealed the Dutch defender is expected to be fit for the Preston game.
Arteta said: “Jurrien is fine. He has been out for a while. He was tired, he could not continue the game.”
Mikel provides the latest on Gabriel, Timber, Calafiori and Odegaard 👇
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) October 29, 2024
Califiori and Odegaard injury news
Odegaard and Califiori are two other key absentees for the the North Londoners, who have key Premier League fixtures against Newcastle and Chelsea in their next two outings.
Club captain Odegaard has missed Arsenal’s last 10 games in all competitions with ankle issue suffered on international duty and Arteta said the Norwegian is stepping up his recovery.
He added: “He’s been on the grass for a few weeks but there is still a few boxes to tick. Hopefully he’ll be back before the international break.”
Califiori, who missed the Liverpool game after an injury against Shakhtar Donetsk last week, is also set for be “out for a few weeks”.
