Mikel Arteta issues update as Arsenal suffer major injury blow just a week before Carabao Cup final

Mikel Arteta has issued a worrying update after Jurrien Timber dealt Arsenal a major scare at the weekend.

The Gunners’ right back was forced off with injury in the first half of their 2-0 win against Everton at the Emirates.

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He started his 28th Premier League match of the season on Saturday as the Gunners welcomed the Toffees to north London.

But he failed to last the opening 45 minutes, being withdrawn in the 37th minute due to a possible groin injury.

Timber, who has now featured in 43 games across all competitions this term, went down in the early stages.

The Dutchman required medical attention, and while he continued playing, he couldn’t carry on.

Jur joking

Mikel Arteta decided to bring on natural centre-back Christhian Mosquera for the former Ajax star.

And it could have been worse for Arsenal after William Saliba needed medical treatment towards the end of the first half.

The French centre-back was clattered into by David Raya as the Spaniard punched away an Everton delivery.

Despite looking dazed on the deck, he managed to continue and came out for the second half, which saw Viktor Gyokeres and Max Dowman score late on.

On Monday, Arteta then addressed the issue with Timber and gave a concerning update about his fitness ahead of the Carabao Cup final, which is quickly coming up on Sunday afternoon.

When asked whether his defender and captain Martin Odegaard would be missing for the Gunners’ Champions League last 16 second leg on Tuesday evening, he said: “Yes, both of them are out.”

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The confirmation of their absence is not a good sign for their chance of playing at Wembley against Manchester City this weekend.

But despite losing some key stars, Arteta hailed the impact of his substitutes against Everton when speaking post-match, indicating he’d be happy with his replacements if they are needed.

He said: “All of them – Gabi [Martinelli], Mosquera had to come in when Jurrien was out and I think it’s been the theme of the season.

“I think the impact of the finishers that the players have played is the reason why we are here, basically.

“That says a lot about the people that we have in the dressing room.

“Because sometimes my decision, maybe they’re not right or they’re not fair, they take it in the right way with only one objective, which is to help the team to win.”

AFP

Terrible timing

The worrying blow to Timber came just eight days out from Arsenal facing Man City in next Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

They are looking to win the competition for the first time since 1993.

And the club also have their huge Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen on the horizon next.

The Gunners were held to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Germany midweek.

Should they emerge victorious in the second leg, they will face the winner of Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting Lisbon.

As it stands, it’s looking as though Bodo will be in the quarter-finals after easing to a 3-0 win in Norway.

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